Under 17 D Championship Final
BBSE 2 08 Lucan Sarsfields 1 13
The Minor B team had their championship final against Lucan in PUM, Sunday last. Top marks to the Ballyboden crowd who came in numbers to support the lads, it was greatly appreciated and made for a fabulous atmosphere. Thankfully we were blessed with a good day which allowed both teams put on a display of hurling, hearth and drive.
The first half was a tight affair with Lucan getting into their stride earlier than Boden who took time to adjust to the occasion. It wasn’t a place for the faith hearted as every ball was fought for with zeal and no one was talking a backward step. Lucan lead for the start and kept the scoreboard modestly ticking over, due to their accurate free taking and while Boden tried hard, their effort wasn’t being converted to scores, which is the only currency that counts in the end. Lucan got a goal with a few minutes to go in the first half resulting in a half time score of 0-3 to 1-5.
The lads regrouped at half time and after an honest chat, came to the conclusion that what had been shown in the first half didn’t reflect their ability, attitude or effort. While the coaches had a few words, it’s a credit to the group that they took responsibility on themselves and called out what was needed both individually and collectively – it was a bit of a Damascus moment.
From the very start of the second half, we knew we were dealing with a different animal as Boden roared into the games, dominated everywhere, hit tackles, put bodies on the line – it was fantastic to see. While Lucan got the first score, Boden started putting up the scores and with two goals from the excellent Darragh Kennedy, all the momentum with Boden and Lucan were hanging on. With 2 minutes to go it was a draw game when Boden won a free, which was converted to give the lead, but unfortunately we couldn’t hold on to. In the last play of the game Lucan won a free, soft from a Boden perspective but well manufactured from a Lucan perspective. This was duly converted and the ref blew time, sending the game into extra time with a score of 2-7 to 1-10.
Extra time was a tough but very low scoring affair, by the end there were bodies everywhere as fatigue caught up with us given the massive effort to take control in the second half. Unfortunately it was not to be with Lucan victorious with a score line of 2-8 to 1-13.
Congrats to Lucan on a great game but huge thanks to all the lads who put it out there and gave a great exhibition to the crowd, showing skill and courage which will be remembered.
This team could not have lined out this year without the support of Brian O’Gorman and Dermot Healy for the U16B team so a massive thanks there. Also a huge thanks to the Minor A management / coaching team who took the Minor B team into their number on training nights – that exposure brought them on. Thanks to the my fellow mentors Pat Reynold and Paul Meaney who put in a great effort all year. We missed by small margins but that is the difference between winning and losing. Final thanks goes to the players – they are a credit to themselves, did everything asked of them and more. They have a massive belief in each other, hopefully this team will go on next year, grow in the league and bring it home come championship when it comes around again.
Thanks to Clíona for the photos. Click here for more
Panel for Sunday Adam O’Gorman, Alex Brady, Kieran Burke, Sean Keogh, Rory Malone, Torna MacGearailt, Coady O’Reilly, Sean Luz, Rian Mention, Ronan O’Breartuin, Conor Butler, Sean Langan, Rian Meaney, Darragh Kennedy, Ciaran Sharkey, Stephen O’Connor, Jack Doran, Miko O’Byrne, Joe Rafter, Aidan Healy, Conor Reynolds, Conor Carton