With no adult football fixtures last weekend attention turned to our four Minor teams who were in League action. The Minor A’s were at home in Pairc Ui Mhurchu to take on Clontarf in their Div.1 clash and came out winners in a hard fought game by 0-12 to 0-07. In Div.3A our Minor B’s had an excellent win over Round Towers by 3-13 to 2-08 while our C’s went down to St.Pats of Donabate and the D’s also went down to Thomas Davis. See reports from A & B matches below.
MFL DIV.1 Ballyboden St Endas 0-12 Clontarf 0-07
Ballybodens Minor A football team had a very tough and hard fought win over a very determined Clontarf side at Pairc U Muruchu on Sunday morning. Played on a perfect pitch with no wind, this game was a tough encounter with matters in doubt up to the final whistle. Boden, once again playing without their two inter county players, struggled to get out of the starting blocks and Clontarf opened the brighter side. But once Boden got going, they moved smoothly through the gears. With the visitors putting extra players behind the ball, Boden had to work extra hard to get scores. There was vey little room in front of the goal, but credit to the home side, they chipped away and took their opportunities when they could.
Turning around after the break Boden were 6 points to one ahead. However their intensity dropped and Clontarf upped their performance and whittled away at Bodens lead.Boden looked to be in trouble. It took them 15 minutes of the second period to rediscover their form and get back in to the game. Walsh was sprung from the bench and Kirwin went to centre forward. A long range point from Hestor settled their nerves and despite only getting a point from a saved penalty Boden had a stranglehold of the game and held on for the win.
In goals Kane was steady and the last play of the game signalled his worth when fielding right under the crossbar while under very heavy pressure.Ryan had an outstanding game in the corner, while Carolan and O Connell impressed. O’Dea was back to his best, while Keller had a superb game before retiring injured late in the second half. At seven Stafford won a lot of ball and drove forward at every opportunity. In the middle of the park Hestor and O Donoghue worked hard and Hestor finished off another fine performance with a great score. In the half forward line Flaherty and Leddy did well, but McGee was peerless. Some of his fielding was class and his score near the end was the highlight of the game video clip here. In the full forward line all three had very good games. Dunne was as busy as ever and won everything pumped in to him. Kirwin is proving a great outlet as well and had one of his best games in the Boden colours, while Murphy also showed his ability.
Boden now have a rest and then its away to Kilmacud in the next outing.
MFL DIV.3A Ballyboden B 3-13 Round Towers 2-08
This was a great performance from the Minor Bs. The opening exchanges were tight with both sides winning good ball in the middle but creating few scoring chances. Boden opened the scoring after 7 mins and quickly added a second before Towers opened their account. Additional scores from Towers had Boden trailing before a rocket of a goal from Conor Barton coupled with points from Cillian Byrne and Laurence Murphy and resolute defending from the back trio of McDonnell, Corcoran and O’Donnell clearing up ball from the back line brought Boden back into the game. Towers closed out the half on top and the sides went in all square at 1-05 each.
In the second half Ballyboden started moving the ball well and put up some good scores and showing signs of their capability. Round Towers were limited in scoring chances by great defensive play and an excellent individual display from Luke Corcoran. Two excellent goals one each from Byrne and Cashman along with points from Mellett, Weldon, Barton and Cashman put Boden well in the driving seat. The ball was moved excellently down the pitch on each occasion with Towers struggling to contain us resulting in a penalty for Boden as Weldon was un-ceremoniously brought down whilst shooting for goal. Towers continued to try to get back into the game but their best effort was superbly saved by Stephen McGrath in the Boden goal. We did concede a late goal which slightly tarnished an excellent second half by Boden who ran out deserved winners by 3-13 to 2-08.
Congratulations.
Congrats to the Dubs Senior football team as they beat Cork to claim a record third straight League title. We wish our own Michael Darragh all the best as he continues to recover from injury and we hope to see him back for club and county as soon as possible.
Upcoming Fixtures
There are AFL midweek games this week, please check the website for all up to date information.