Result: 2 10 to 3 13

Leinster Senior League Final – Worsdworth reports from Tullamore

This is how you start a final ! Ball thrown in on the immaculate O’Connor Park surface in Tullamore, midfielders Neal Farrell and Darren Lennox tussle with their opposite numbers, ball is sent out to wing forward Chris Lambert, who puts the head down and sets the radar for goal, flies past a pair of defenders and the ball hits the net. After a wide, another flyer, Michael Boland sends over a fine point from the left. Ball is pucked out and is sent back in to full forward Emmet Carroll who makes no mistake to raise a second green flag. All this in the first two minutes. St Patricks of Wicklow then caught their breath in this Leinster League Division 4 Final on 28th May 2017 in bright sunny midland conditions. They got the next three points and were posing problems for the Boden defence. Boden added a pair of points through Farrell and Carroll before the Wicklow side got their first goal from their dangerous full forward, Andy O’Brien. Des O’Sullivan was playing well at centre back for Boden but the sparkle of the opening minutes was difficult to recreate as the St Patricks defence grew more confident. A second goal was registered for St Patricks after Boden points by Carroll and Aidan Dundon to leave the half time score St Particks 2-6 to Ballyboden’s 2-5.

Some changes were made for the second half by Dan Boland and his selectors. Ruarí Kirwan showed up well in defence and man-marked their dangerous forwards, limiting their chances. However, the Wicklow lads had a pep in their step and landed a few fine long–range points in the third quarter. Frees by Carroll kept Boden within touching distance but when a third goal was conceded, it made the job so much more difficult. The team to a man battled on with Mick McGarry, Niall O’Neill and Tim Sweeney all putting in a huge effort to turn the tide. Subs Adam Jermyn defended well and some fine running by Gareth Crowley unfortunately went unrewarded. Points were exchanged in the last quarter to leave the final result Boden 2-10 to St Patricks Wicklow 3-13.

Well done to both sides for a fine match.