Raheny 1:03
Ballyboden St Endas 4:18
The much-anticipated return of the U18 Minor League opened for the Ballyboden boys in St Anne’s Park against a Raheny side that had defeated them by 1 point in the 2022 Championship.
Travelling northside always brings anticipation and visions of titanic battles, and the Boden boys were well prepared as Liam O’Dwyer and his management team set them out for the first time in competition.
From the first ball, the tone was set, and Raheny were not allowed to settle anywhere on the pitch, with relentless pressure coming from midfield, where Daragh Smyth and Kevin Byrne kept the forwards fed with plenty of ball, pinning back Raheny for the duration of the game, which resulted in the Boden forwards having a field day in front of goal, with goals from Mark McGlynn, Lee McConnell, Oisin Quinn and Paddy Curry only adding to an ever-widening margin.
Raheny made some gallant efforts up the field, only to be snuffed out by the Boden back line of James Rusk, Damian Gibbons and Jamie Farrell. Numerous players picked off points from a distance that would normally grace the television on any given Sunday, and it was impossible to pick out a ‘man of the match’ as every player wanted to make a statement and throw down the gauntlet at the start of the campaign. More pics here.
Foireann: Cillian Murray, James Rusk, Damian Gibbons, Jamie Farrell, John Keane, Daniel McCarthy, Daragh Smyth, Kevin Byrne, Alex Dunne, Sean Keary, Paddy Curry, Mark McGlynn, Oisin Quinn, Lee McConnell, Ryan Culleton, Callum O’Dwyer, James Greally, Conor Butler, Dylan Timbs, Torna MacGearailt.
Match Report: Connell McGlynn