Result: 4 18 to 1 12
AHL 1 – Boden Table Toppers – Worsdworth Reports
Ballyboden St Endas journeyed to the other end of the M50 on Saturday 2nd September for their final Division 1 League tie (round 10) against Craobh Chiarán. Conditions were good for this match – a firm surface underfoot and a strong breeze that favoured neither team but saw the loyal band of supporters reaching for the winter coats and bemoaning the lack of trees to provide some protection from the crosswind.
Boden had the momentum going into this tie and started in sensational fashion when two of their Dublin representatives – Conor Dooley and James Madden – found the net with the first two attacks. This was a great platform and Boden never relinquished control of the match after that. Craobh Chiarán chipped away at the lead and with the expert free taking of Alan McCrabbe, kept in touch. A penalty was awarded to the hosts on the ten-minute mark but the quick response saw Aidan Mellett turn his man and race for goal. The ball ended in the net for Boden’s third after twelve minutes. It wasn’t all about the attack either in this first half – Luke Corcoran, Shane Durkin and Stephen O’Connor were all putting in fine defensive performances. Further points from Mellett, Dooley, Conal Keaney and an expertly-struck sideline ball from Madden saw Boden ahead at the break 3-8 to 1-6.
Keaney, Finn McGarry, Dooley and James Roche all kept the momentum going at the start of the second half. Clever interventions at the back that brought keeper Gary Maguire into the play on a number of occasions meant the supply to the forwards continued. Dooley was playing particularly well, popping up in midfield and always available to take another scoring opportunity. Subs were introduced going in to the last quarter with David O’Connor and Malachy Travers working hard in defence. Colm Ó’Néill, Eoghan Ó’Néill and Niall Ryan all contributed up front and made sure Boden held their position at the top of the table. Mellett had the final say in the match as he again raced forward after collecting the ball to send it low to the net with a blistering shot. At the final whistle, the scoreboard read Boden 4-18 Craobh Chiarán 1-12. We now await the outcome of St Brigids final match result to see if they are the opposition, or perhaps Na Fianna if Brigids slip up, in the Division 1 League Final. Date to be confirmed.