Report by Alan Kinsella
Feile weekend finally arrived for the Boys and a big crowd gathered at the clubhouse for The Division 1 Feile. Assorted Sandwiches, cakes, buns and other delicacies arrived to cater for the crowds.
Drawn in a tough group with Na Fianna, Whitehall Colmcille and St Vincents. Ballyboden began with a clash against Na Fianna.
Nerves were settled quickly with two well taken goals from Conor Woods to put Boden into an early lead. John McGinn added a further three points and Mark Walsh added a point to extend the lead. Boden defended well wth Adam Farrell making some good saves. Just before the break Na Fianna Socored their first point of the game. Half Time and Ballyboden were 2-04 to 0-01 ahead. Second half and points from Luke Grady and John McGinn extended the Ballyboden lead. Na Fianna fought back scoring a goal and 2 points. Two wonderful points from Enda Cashman followed by a Jack Lambert goal clinched Victory for Ballyboden as they ran out winners 3-08 to 1-03.
After the good start Ballyboden faced Whitehall Colmcille who had beaten St Vincents in the other match. Ballyboden started well with a goal from John McGinn. Whitehall pulled back 2 points before McGinn added another point. Whitehall then took the lead with a goal. John McGinn equalised with a point but Whitehall went back into the lead as they scored another point. As Half Time approached Conor Woods got his thrid goal of the day, John McGinn and Luke McDwyer got points and Enda Cashman scored a great goal to give Ballyboden a 3-04 to 1-03 lead at the break.
The second half it was backs to the wall for Ballyboden as Daire Lynch, Jacques Dalton, David Ward, Kevin Desmond, Cillian Kirwin , James Kinsella, Ciaran O’Reilly battled for every ball defending valiantly. Ballyboden had a goal disallowed for a square ball and Whitehall scored 3 points in a row to narrow the deficit. The nerves were high on the sidelines as Adam Carrigan , Luke Grady, Luke McDwyer , Ben Kelly and Evan Cullen battled for every ball. High balls being sent in around he square Two great pints from John McGinn followed by another from Enda Cashman extended Ballybodens lead and John McGinn got another point before Whitehall replied with a point and it was the final score of the game. Final Score Ballyboden 3-08 Whitehall 1-07
Although having won two games other results meant qualification for the semi finals was not guaranteed. A win would also mean a home semi final on Sunday morning, so the pressure was still on the boys.
Again Ballyboden started well with Luke McDwyer, John McGinn, Enda Cashman, Jack Daly Kenny, and Luke Grady all scoring points to given Ballyboden a hard fought lead, Vincents struck back but Luke McDwyer added a point to his tally before Vincents scored another point before the break. Half Time Ballyboden 0-06 St Vincents 0-2 .
Both teams tired during a tense second half with again the boys defending with gusto and playing some wonderful interchanges. Vincents scored two points to cut the deficit to two but as the clock ticked down Luke Grady fired over a point which was greeted with much relief on the sidelines and Ballyboden ran out winners 0-07 to 0-04
Well done to all the boys on the Ballyboden Panel
Adam Carrigan , Luke Grady, Luke McDwyer , Ben Kelly, Evan Cullen, Daire Lynch, Jacques Dalton, David Ward, Kevin Desmond, Cillian Kirwin , James Kinsella, Ciaran O’Reilly, John McGinn, Mark Walsh, Dean Ralph, Jack lambert, Dillon Dunleavey, Adam Farrell, Jack Daly Kenny, Conor Woods, Enda Cashman, Conor Lowe, Ruairi Mac Mathúna, Aidan Garvey.
Mentors Derek Ward and Sean McGinn
Many thanks to all those involved in the great day Bernard Lynch, Ciaran Farrell, John Kirwin, Ted Dalton, Carina Cashman and everyone else who helped out, supplied food, served teas, coffees, did the car pack, cleaned the dressing rooms, the hall and so on.
The boys play Castleknock at 10.30 at the Club on Sunday Morning