U17A Hurling Championship

Boden 2 14   Faughs 1 17.

If Boden were looking for excuses to have an off day, there were plenty on offer. With a number of personnel unavailable yesterday, it would have been easy!

They did nothing of the sort. With a local derby and the chance to top the group to earn a home semi-final on the line, there was plenty to motivate both teams.

Played at a good championship pace, a fine support was entertained on PUM for the hour.

Both teams settled quickly trading points with Boden managing well against the breeze with fine points from Lee McConnell, Zenan Spain, Daragh Durkin and a rampaging run from corner back James Casey for the point of the day.

Boden led approaching half time but Faughs managed 3 unanswered points to leave the teams level at the break.

Faughs were out of traps far better at the start of the second half and led by four points after forty minutes. But Kevin Byrne, despite having a well strapped ankle had entered the fray as a sub, was having none of it, pulling strongly on the ball to the back of the net after a goal mouth scramble.

Boden quickly followed up with a second goal, with man of the match Sean Keary going on a fine solo run to give the goalie no chance and suddenly Boden led by two points.

Faughs though were far from finished and got a goal themselves shortly afterwards piercing the Boden defence for the first time, where Liam Dargan, Leon Murphy and Johnny Corr were to the fore for Boden.

Indeed Faughs led by a point well into injury time until one final free was awarded at the death to Boden. Ryan Culleton stood over it with ice in his veins to level it for Boden the game ended in a draw.

A special mention to James Rusk, who was very unlucky to dislocate his finger in the warm up and miss the game.

A draw leaves Boden and Faughs tied at the top on 5 points at the end of the round robin. Remarkably both teams also have the same scoring difference, with Boden sneaking top spot having scored 3 points more.

Boden as group winners now face Lucan Sarsfields in the Championship semi-final at home. The lads are really looking forward to it.

Squad: Scott Mc Allister, James Rusk, Liam Dargan, James Casey, Leon Murphy, John McSharry, Sean Keary, Ryan Culleton, Kevin Byrne, Mark Mcglynn, Darragh Delaney, Lee McConnell, Zenan Spain, CJ Balance, Gavin Leddy, Alex Young, Daragh Durkin, Fionn Murphy, Johnny Corr, Tiernan Kennedy.

Click here for more photos from Dave Rusk