It was a busy week on the football front with midweek games for Seniors, Inters and Minors. Pride of place goes to our Inters who reached the Joy Cup final with a victory over Lucan Sarsfields by 3-15 to 1-10. They were ably supported with players by the Junior teams on the night. The mentors and players would like to acknowledge the sincere and heartfelt words of the Lucan captain on behalf of their club on the loss of Eoghan Culligan, it was a classy touch.

The Seniors unbeaten run was halted by Ballymun in a pulsating encounter last Thursday on a scoreline of 1-17 to 3-13, hopefully it’s just a temporary setback, report by Paddy Walsh below. Congrats to Michael Darragh MacAuley and Paul Durcan as both Dublin and Donegal progreessed to provincial finals.

On to the Minors and the A’s travelled to Brigids expecting a tough encounter and that’s exactly what they got with the points being shared on a scoreline of 3-09 to 2-12, the B’s went down to Naomh Fionbarra by 1-07 to 1-10, the C’s overcame Na Fianna by 3-07 to 1-10 while the D’s were left rueing their inability to conmvert possession into scoring opportunities and went down to Balinteer by 3-11 to 5-03. The Minor A match v Ballymun on Monday was off but the C’s made it two wins from two as they defeated Fingallians by 4-12 to 3-05. Reports from both Minor C games by Cormac O’Farrell below.

Staying with the Minors and commisserations to James Holland, Barra McGarry and Mentor Brian O’Regan as Dublin were beaten by Kildare in the semi final of the Leinster Championship despite a late rally.

Finally, it was good to see the veterans returning to action Friday night against the Junior footballers. Hopefully not too many aches and pains!!!! As always any interested parties are welcome to take part in their upcoming tour of the locality!!! Special Report below.

Also a big thanks to Alan Kinsella for his assistance with the club website in the last few weeks.

Ballyboden 1-17 Ballymun 3-13

As the cliche says, goals win matches, and this was perfectly true on Thursday evening for this match. In a very open, sporting, end to end game scores were coming every minute or two in the first half. Some great scores were taken by both sides and unfortunately for us, Ballymun managed to include two goals in their tally. One was particularly unfortunate from our point of view in that an attempt for a point by us was blocked down and the ball travelled the length of the pitch to end up in the back of our net. First half scorers for us were Andrew Kerin (4), Ryan Basquel (2), Sam Molony (2), Darragh Nelson and Ciaran Archbold one each. Half time score was 2-8 to 0-10 for Ballymun.

The second half was equally intense but the scores were harder to come by. There was no panic by our team and we fought back, as we usually do when we need to. Half way through the half, the very industrious Shane Clayton was in the right place to finish to the Ballymun net. Game on. Some great tackling, good combined play and excellent scores put us a point up with time running out. But Ballymun were not going to give up and a flowing move brought their player into our square where the took a shot for a goal. Darragh Gogan in goal was alleged to have foot-blocked the Ballymun player and the referee awarded a penalty, which they scored. Now two points down we had to go for goal as time was against us but Ballymun were not going to make it easy. We did manage a point to put the minimum between the teams but Ballymun responded with the insurance point before the referee blew for full time to leave us with our first defeat in this year’s campaign. Second half scorers were Shane Clayton (goal), Ryan Basquel (4), Sam Molony (2) and Andrew Kerin (1).

TEAM: Darragh Gogan, Bob Dwan, Robbie McDaid, Shane Clayton, Stephen O’Connor, Graham Heavey, Tom Hanafin. Darragh Nelson, Seamus Keane, Collie Dunne, Ryan Basquel, Ciaran Archbold, Collie Basquel, Sam Molony, Andrew Kerin. Subs used: Conor McCormack., Darren O’Reilly, Sean Prendergast, Fergal Purcell.

Minor C Na Fianna 1-10 BBSE 3-7 25/6/15, St Vincents School Glasnevin.

It had been a few weeks since the minor Cs had taken to the field so it was an experimental team which took to the field last thirday in Glasnevin.  With a little help from the Bs and Ds and the return of some soccer players looking for action in the summer, ‘Boden faced Na Fianna’s third team.The northside outfit got off to a better start and should have had more to show after 15 minutes that the 3 points they did register. A goal from ‘Boden kept them in touch. The half continued with Na Fianna dominating but good sfenf=ding from our back six meant a second goal just before half time kept ‘Boden in touch and just 1 point behind at the break.

The second half was a different story as Paddy Munnelly, Conor Barton, Jamie Kavanagh and Eoin Monaghan began to lord the midfield diamond and set up a wave of attacks. This possession was put to good use by the forward line of Luke Bolger, DJ Ennis and ‘Man of the Match’ Sean O’Gorman who kept the ‘Boden scoreline increasing while the backs kept things tight at their end. There were a few late scares toward the end as the ref did his best to make the contest interesting.  But stout defending from the likes of Eoin Fetherston and the returning Liam Worthington and sturdy goalkeeping from Karl Green meant ‘Boden walked away with two valuable league points.

Minor C BBSE 4-12 Fingallians 3-5 29/6/15, Ballycullen.

Following last Thursday’s great win against Na Fianna, the Minor C management asked for one thing this week – a good start. Unfortunatly, strainght from the throw-in, Fingallians got a goal!! Undeterred however, the team took a grip of the game and ruled the roost for the whole of the first half.  Our backs had a quiet time of it, although the half backs of Jamie Hutchinson, Tommy Deane and Liam Worthington did launch a few attacks The forwards and midfield bombarded Fingallians and kept the men from Swords to the pin of their, well (!) swords!  Some great catching and movement of the ball from DJ Ennis was a joy to watch.  Daire Lawlor also made a solid contribution to ‘Bodens forward play. Regretablly the accuracy was not as it could have been and the 2-8 ‘Boden had scored by half time was not a reflection of their dominance.  The pick of the misses shall remain nameless but you know who you are.  Some of the spectators in attendance are still laughing!

The game as a contest was really over ten minutes into the second half with an Eoghan Monaghan goal killing off any come back from Fingallians.  They did put a few scores on the board as some of the ‘Boden spine were called ashore early due to injury.

This was another good win for the Cs, two on the trot, and good preparation for the Champo next month.

A Legend is born.

Last Friday, June 26th saw history being made as the Ballyboden St Enda’s veterans team took to the field for their first ever official outing.  Originally, the equivalent team in Templeogue Synge Street were to be the opposition. Synger had to pull out during the week however as their midfielder’s granddaughter was getting married or something.  It was the Junior Bs who offered the opposition instead. Due to the advanced years of the Veterans team, there were some rule modifications. It would be 12 a side on the Camogie pitch with 20 minutes a half being the suggested time frame.  The gum shield rule was dispensed with as most of the veterans had dispensed with their original teeth many years ago.

The game was played at a surprisingly good pace with plenty of football on display.  The full back line of O’Farrell (D), Bates and Molloy, with a combined age just short of a 3 dart maximum, kept things solid. Further along up the field, Paddy ‘when are we playing Wanderers?’ Greville (aka Scutzy) along with Don ‘Meath should do it on Sunday’ Carolan and Andy ‘Tis Mayo’s year’ Gardiner were very energetic around the middle. Masterson and O’Dwyer kept the ball in good supply to the full forward line of Murphy and O’Farrell (C).  Scores were plentiful from the boots of McAllister and Callan who showed you never really loose it!

The second half saw organiser in chief Eoin ‘Barreller’ Dunne leave the safety of the goals to contribute, well, pretty much everywhere.  He was replaced by ‘very relieved’ Stafford between the sticks

No-one actually kept score apart from the inimitable Scutzy who put the score at 1 something to 1 something, his favourite scoreline we’re told! Yet there were a few dissenting voices from the Juniors when the Veterans claimed victory. They say many a sweet tune is played on an old fiddle.  This inaugural performance from the ‘Boden Legends was just like Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto being played on a Stradivarius.