Despite finding it tough going in their division 2 league campaign this season the Boden B Squad arrived in good spirits for Feile. They were determined to get the most out of the Feile experience and had prepared well over the last few weeks of training. So they headed up the M50 to Skerries in the rain early Saturday morning in a confident mood.

Castleknock 2- 3 Ballyboden 0 – 2

After an intense warm up the Boden girls hit the ground running in this encounter and attacked Castleknock from the start. To add to the attacking display the team defended for their lives and blocked, tackled and chased. Boden opened the scoring in this game and even though Castleknock pegged them back Boden never trailed in the first half which ended 2 points apiece. The second half continued similar to the first but unfortunately Castleknock got a goal that would prove crucial. This goal came from a rebound off a superb block from Hannah Dalton in the Boden goal. Before the Boden girls could clear their heads Castleknock bagged a second. Boden however re-composed themselves and battled on to the end but could not break down a solid Castleknock defence. Not much between these teams on the day but Castleknock held out for the opening match win.

Fingalians 4 – 2 Ballyboden 1 – 1

Not dampened by the driving rain or the first game defeat Boden dusted themselves down and went again. The same level of intensity and determination went into the game and Boden held their own. The game turned in seconds as a Boden shot for goal came off the woodwork and Fingalians broke at pace down field and netted a goal of their own at the other end. This followed with another goal by Fingalians and left the Boden girls trailing by 2 goals at the break. Boden fought on and a Muireann O’Donoghue free kick hit the back of the net to narrow the deficit to 3 points. Fingalians upped the pace of the game and only for several top class defensive blocks and some outstanding shot stopping by Hannah in the Boden goal. Boden would have gone down earlier in this game but for this. Late Fingalians goals put an unfair score line on a game that was closer than the final score showed.

However this game came at a double cost to Boden with injuries to Captain Ciara McCullagh and goalkeeper Hannah Dalton were to put an early end to their Feile as both were ruled out of the last encounter and would be missed.

Ballinteer St Johns 4 – 10 Ballyboden 1 – 0

In the final group encounter Ballinteer needed a result to give them a chance of a semi-final place if the other group game went their way however Boden were not willing to roll over and give them anything easy. Emma O’Riordan bravely stepped up for goal keeping duties for Boden. Ballinteer started at a very fast pace and it took every ounce of energy from the Boden girls to keep them out. Another brave display by Boden got us to half time without our goal been breached thanks to some excellent work by Emma helped out by her trusted defenders. Balinteer resorted to picking off points and that gave them a cushion for the second half. They pushed on in the second half and got their goals despite Bodens best efforts. A Chloe O’Reilly goal meant Boden had some reward for their attacking play in this game.

The Boden squad of 24 all contributed to the Feile effort and whenever changes were made it did not weaken the team as every girl who came on put in a big effort and no one left feeling they could have done more. Given the tight games against the teams that would eventually line out in today’s final there is plenty of optimism in the Boden camp going forward.

Boden Squad: Eva Brennan, Ailbhe Brown, Hannah Dalton, Eimear Donnelly, Ciara Duffy, Caoimhe Dunne, Grainne Ezewke, Aoibhinn Field, Sinead Hussey, Rebecca Keane, Roisin Marshall, Caoimhe McCarthy, Eve McCelland, Ciara McCullagh (Capt), Sarah Anne Murphy, Sadhbh Nic Mhathuna, Muireann O’Donoghue, Chloe O’Reilly, Niamh O’Reilly Emma O’Riordan, Anna O’Shea, Lucy O’Shea, Roisin O’Sullivan, Elaine Whelan