What a weekend our B footballers had in the Division 5 Feile. Saturday morning and it was off to Westmanstown for our Feile. The sharp bend off the Strawberry Beds up towards Westmanstown wasn’t to be the only twist or turn over a fantastic weekend.
The numbers and jerseys given out , the girls warmed up for the first match of an eventful weekend…..
V St Marys Saggart
Boden started well but failed to score before the first of many great saves by Ellie Rogers over the course of the weekend. a lovely goal from Kate O’Shea put Boden ahead. A purple patch before half times saw 2 points from Siofra, points by Niamh and Karyn give Boden a 1-4 to 0-0 lead at the break.
St Marys started well but sterling work from among others Cara, Tara, the Aoifes , Shauna, Garce and Laura kept them out. At the other end after a great interchange with Karyn , Niamh scored a point. Then after great work by Aisling ,Siofra scored a goal. Minutes later Anna Lamberts shot hit the back of the net to put Boden 3-5 to 0-0 up. Some further great defending before Kate O’Brien finished off the games scoring.
Boden 3-6 St Marys Saggart 0-0
V Foxrock Cabinteely B
After a short break, the girls were in action again. Boden didn’t take long to open the scoring with Karyn Burke scoreing a great goal. Kate O’Brien added a point before Siofra Kelly burst the net and shortly afterwards Aishling Duffy got another goal for Boden , Lara Whelan added another goal , Siofra got a point and the half was finished by a two fabulous goals by Kate O’Brien. Half Time 6-2 to 0-0
Second half was a quieter affair in front of goal as Foxrock Cabinteely put an awful lot of pressure on Boden but some brilliant play by Emily Tuite, Laura Dunne, Anna Kinsella, Grace Regan and Cara Ryan really put it up to them. Karyn Burke added a point for Boden before the on fire Kate O’Brien got her third goal of the game. A well deserved point from Niamh O’Farrell was the final score of the game as Boden won 7-4 to no score.
So through to the semi finals! The only question was where would the semi final be? Beat Westmanstown Gaels and we’d stay in Westmanstown , lose the match and it would be off to Perrystown.
V Westmanstown Gaels
So the third group match started and in what was tough conditions the girls put in another great performance. This being the third match in a row many of the girls on both sides were tired. Boden had a few chances and at the other end Ellie made a number of great saves. There was some heroic defending from among others Aoife Doyle, Shauna McCarthy, Emma Fisher and Emily Tuite. Half time and the score was level at 0-0 0-0 .
Second half started and now playing into the wind Boden were battling hard. Westmanstown opened the scoring (the first point conceded by Boden all day) before Karyn Burke equalised for Boden. The breeze got stronger and the girls tireder as Westm anstown were now on a roll adding a couple more scores. The Boden girls battled on but Westmanstown had a dream half scoring 9 points.
Final Score Boden 0-1 , Westmanstown Gaels 0-9
So it was Perrystown to meet Robert Emmetts in the Semi Final. We met back at the club, the girls ate, drank, rested, laughed and chilled before we set off in convoy for Greentrees Park .
So pure knock out, the tension was palpable. Emmett’s had topped their group, this was going to be tough. The girls were cheered out of the dressing room onto the pitch by their wonderful support. The ball was thrown in and after a tight start Robert Emmett’s went ahead through a free, two poits from Karyn Burke and Boden were ahead. Some brilliant work by the forwards Anna Kinsella, Lara Whelan Niamh O’Farrell and Siofra Kelly led to a penalty to Boden. From her goal Ellie Rogers ran the length of the pitch to take it…. Our hearst were in our mouths but Ellie plonked it high into the back of the net and Boden were now 1-2 to 0-1 ahead. Then Lara Whelan took a shot and it went in. Half time came and Boden were 2-2 to 0-1 to the good. However they had to play against the wind and up the slope in the second half.
Emmets opened the second half with a point. Boden nerves were calmed after a brilliant goal and a point from Aisling Kelly. Boden now led 3-4 to 0-2. Niamh O’Farrell got a gfine point after a great ctch by Tara. Emmetts bombarded the Boden goal. Incredible defending by all the girls, blocking, tackling ,everything as they held Emmetts at bay. Emmett’s got a point and then the ref blew up. Boden were through to the final.
Cue mass celebration from all the team and the Boden crowd.
The Final
Off to Blanchardstown IT for the final on the Sunday at 2. The girls met up at one. The facilities wonderful, the pitch brilliant. The girls were all in brilliant form. Playing in the change strip of Green Stripes and with a big crowd present the ball was thrown in. Westmanstown scored a point from an early free. Then Ellie made a fine save pushing a goal bound shot over the bar. Two goals in quick succession for Westmanstown and Boden had a mountain to climb. The girls were brilliant though and kept playing their best and were unlucky with a few wides and shots that fell short. As the half ended Ellie was agin called into action to tip the ball over the bar. Half Time and Boden 2-3 to 0–0 down.
Second half began with another Westmanstown point before Karyn Burke scored for Boden. Upteen chnces came and went for Boden as they nearly got in for a goal hitting the bar and just missing the follow up. Westmanstown added another goal. Boden piled forward, the whole team were immense giving every last bit of effort to try and stage a comeback but it wasn’t their day. Another Westmanstown point made it 3-5 to 0-1. Westmanstwon were excellent and whilst the final score didn’t reflect the match they are an excellent side. So to though are the Boden girls who after the talk from Donagh,Ken and Tony marched over to the sideline to rapturous applause from their adoring fans.
What a journey, what a weekend and the girls now have lovely, medals and memories to share forever.
Thanks to the girls, Donagh, Tony, Ken, Melissa, the physios, the club and all the Boden support for a brilliant weekend. We are so proud of you all. Thanks too to the officials and the host clubs as well as the Dublin Ladies Football Association for organising such a wonderful competition.
Well done to the A team on their win and best of luck to the Camoige teams and our C Footballers in their upcoming Feile.
Panel: Ellie Rogers, Aoife Doyle, Aoife G Doyle, Grace Regan, Cara Ryan, Laura Dunne, Shauna McCarthy, Tara O’Kelly, Emma Fisher, Siofra Kelly, Saoirse Pender, Aishling Duffy, Kate O’Brien, Niamh O’Farrell, Lara Whelan, Anna Kinsella, Emily Tuite, Karyn Burke, Anna Lambert. Mentors Donagh O’Farrell, Ken Regan, Tony Duffy, Melissa Pender.