Lazarus Lambert brings Boden back

 Gizmo reports from Minor Hurling Championship semi-final

Goalkeeper Jack Lambert’s stunning 21 yard “Green Flag raising” free was the catalyst that brought the Minor A hurlers back from the brink to seal a place in the 2019 County Championship Final. “We got out of jail there”, remarked spectator Declan Maguire who has hurling running through his veins along with dangerously high levels of saturated fat. The favourites tag weighed heavily on this great group of young lads as they took on Castleknock, in the semi-final of the Minor A hurling championship. “We have high standards and expectations from this team and sometimes nerves can be a factor, but I have great admiration for the way they turned it around”, reflected mentor Johnny Kenny after a roller coaster game in PUM on Sunday last.

Early points were traded between the teams and the stage was set for a cracking game of hurling. But the tide went out on Boden’s challenge after marks-man Adam Kelleher had to leave the field through injury after just 10 minutes. While Boden re-organised, Castleknock pressed and a great piece of individual skill led to their opening goal of the game. Castleknock never looked back after that, they hunted in packs, were first to most 50 / 50 balls and won an inordinate amount of secondary possessions. Trailing 1-9 to 0-3 after 28 minutes, this piece was looking like an obituary rather than a match report. But wing forward Cian Corcoran (and umpire Daragh Monahan) had different ideas, while chasing down what looked like a lost cause, Cian drove the sliotar over the whitewash and hopefully turned down the volume on the “Bollicking” that was about to be delivered at half time. Trailing 1-9 to 1-3 at the break, we’ll just leave it there about that half of hurling.

With their ears still ringing, Boden turned up the tempo in the second half. A Daragh Kenny free was cancelled out by Castleknock and following a goalmouth scramble the Boden net was rattled again. “Oh balderdash…..(or some such words)”, said parent Tony Hassett, “my gut says we’re out of this game………… 20 minutes to pull back a 9 point deficit. Unlikely.” But as substantial as Tony’s guts are, he didn’t foresee Lazarus Lambert on the horizon. After a period of hard graft around the middle by McGuire, Codd and Christie, they released Eoin Behan who was unceremoniously dragged to the turf. The resulting 21-yard free saw ‘keeper Lambert trot down the pitch to give it a lash. The world and his wife knew what was about to happen and Castleknock packed the line with players. But Jack found the 4 square inches of light and sent the sliotar through it at the speed of sound. The roar of the players and supporters was deafening and suddenly…….. where there’s light……..

O’Donnell, Cashman and Ryan began to take control of the middle third while O’Dwyer took over free taking duties Slotting over point numbers 5 and 6, the comeback was on. The back line of Donaghy, Maguire and Mulligan-Lynch were turning over ball and reducing Castleknock to scraps but there was still a mountain to climb. Fergal Ryan and Luke Mulligan-Lynch’s ability to carry the ball out of defence and support the forwards was exactly the platform that was required. “Sean O’Donnell at wing back was exceptional”, commented mentor Emmet Carroll, “he like a Werther’s Original, silky and smooth to look at but if you’re not careful, will break your teeth “. During a period of intense pressure, half forward Kenny, with no regard for his own personal safety, put in a flying block to turn over the ball again. He had to leave the field after an almighty blow to the head from the “Follow through” but it epitomised the true spirit of this team. The introduction of  Davy Keogh sparked new life into the forward line, he’s the only lad I know that would beat you 1 on 1 in a phone box. His off the ball running, and enthusiasm instilled a dark fear into the Castleknock defence, which Ryan O’Dwyer was only too happy to exploit. Plucking a ball from the sky with hands dipped in Bostick (that’s a glue, by the way) O’Dwyer turned and buried the sliotar into the top corner. Now only a point behind with 10 minutes left, the impossible was beginning to look possible.

After another scorching point from play by O’Dwyer, he latched on to an inch perfect pass from Cian Hassett to raise Boden’s 4th green flag of the morning. Further points from Rhys McDonnell and Cian Corcoran gave Boden a three-point cushion in the dying embers of normal time. But Castleknock weren’t giving up without a fight and staged a mini comeback of their own. Cutting a long story short, deep into injury time, Castleknock ended up with a 21-yard free with only one option available. ‘Keeper Lambert ordered his own players out of his area, opting for the minimum of 4 teammates and himself to face off the inevitable. As it turns out, he didn’t need the other 4, choosing to pull off a fantastic save himself and, in the ensuing melee, taking a kick to the head in an effort to defend his goal. “That was enough for me” said Mum, first aider, dog walker, physio, chef and general voice of reason in the management team, Linda O’Donnell, “I thought it was over and I just couldn’t believe it when they got another opportunity with the very last puck of the game.” After a questionable “foul” (the Boden defender is claiming that he was backed into!!!!) on the Castleknock and Dublin dual star Luke Swan, they had one more opportunity, this time from a more difficult angle. Lambert set up the goal mouth with the same 4 “Token” players and pulled off another stunning save. Game Over.

The sense of relief from the Boden faithful was tangible, “I never doubted it for a minute”, quipped parent Maurice Sweeney, “when Jack [Lambert] buried that free, Castleknock sensed danger and our boys exploited it. In fairness, Boden played some incredible hurling and scored 3-3 in a 12-minute spell of dominance.” which is an incredibly insightful commentary from a Donegal man, surprised even me to be honest. Mentor Brendan Ryan said, “Castleknock didn’t blow it, we won it. Yes, we had a wobble, but these lads have a character and and wisdom way beyond their years.”

A special mention to the under 16 hurlers Davy Keogh and Rhys McDonnell, whose contribution to the spectacle was outstanding. Also, to A & E regulars Adam Kelleher, Paddy Dunleavy and Conor Lowe, look after yourselves lads, you have five weeks to get back to full health for the County Final (sounds good, doesn’t it).

Finally, please note that the mentor’s weekly game of Monopoly has been cancelled as the Get Out of Jail card is missing…………….

Final Score: BBSE 4-10 Castleknock 2-13

The team: Jack Lambert (1-0 (1xF)), Luke Mulligan Lynch, Joe Maguire, Harry Donaghy, Enda Cashman, Fergal Ryan (0-1 x F), Sean O’Donnell, Pearce Christie, John McGuire, Cian Corcoran (1-1), Malachy Codd, Eoin Behan, Cillian Wall, Darragh Kenny (0-3 (2 x F)), Adam Kelleher (0-1 xF), Rhys McDonnell (0-1 x F),  Ryan O’Dwyer (2-3 (2xF)), Daire Sweeney, David Monahan, Cian Hassett, Peter Gannon, Rian Power, David Keogh