Football update 16/11/15
Another great weekend for the footballers. This time pride of place goes to the Inter Footballers. They overcame a difficult assignment against a Good Counsel team that had beaten them well in the league a couple of weeks ago. However, the lads were determined not to let the outcome repeat itself and they won playing a very fluid brand of football in difficult windy conditions on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-8. Well done each and everyone for the entertainment served up and best wishes in the league playoff final.
Our Seniors fell to Crokes in the League on Friday night by 0-14 to 1-07 but with their sights set firmly on this weekends Leinster semi-final perhaps it was no great surprise.
Reports on both games below.
The Gala Night was a great success Saturday night. It was a good to see so many familiar faces and a fantastic turnout by the Footballers with pride of place going to the Senior team on their County Success. This was followed by the Under 21’s receiving their c/ship winning medals for 2014 and the Inters receiving their winner medals for the Joy cup 2015.
A special mention also for John O’Neill, recipient of the Chairman’s award for all his contributions to the club since 1973 when he first became involved. The club would not be where it is today had it not been for his foresight and a guiding hand. Congrats John and long may you continue to guide us with your wisdom.
Next week all roads are to Mulligar for Sunday’s showdown with St.Lomans, the Westmeath county champions in Mulligar at 2pm. Reserve your seat on the bus and sit back and enjoy the occasion.
Fixtures next week
22/11 Senior v St. Loman’s Mulligar 2pm (Buses available)
21/11 U21 v St. Finnians Swords Páirc Uí Mhurchú 2.15pm
Ballyboden 1-12 Good Counsel 1-8
Boden’s Inters had a very good win Sunday morning in promotion playoff semi final. After a horrible day of rain Saturday Good Counsel had to move the game to the Astro in Clontarf, which worked out perfect for Boden. On a top class surface Bodens pace and running game boosted by some skillfull young players caused the opponent serious problems. After conceding a early goal against play Boden settled down and started to control game. The pace was brought by young lads Ward, Bobbett, Dunne, Kilduff, and Barra McGarry. But the strength and experience was added to in midfield by Purcell and Grimes who both had great games. Backs controlled by O’Brien and McGuire. Forwards conducted by the master Naughton. A great goal in first half by captain Colly Dunne set the team on the way. Dave Curly and Eamonn O’Reilly had fine game in the forwards and added great work rate. Good Counsel really pushed hard to go for the win in second half but met some fantastic defending by Dan McGuinness and Cian Mellett. But most of all the man marking job done by O’Brien on Alex Quinn, a great forward, who caused this team huge problems in past games. Keeping him out of the game as much as possible gave Boden huge momentum and confidence to drive forward and push for the win. The Final will be v St Marks soon and a huge effort and support will be needed. Team. Leane. McGuinness, McGuire, O’Brien,Ward, Mellett, Bobbett, Grimes, Purcell, Kilduff, Dunne, McGarry, Curley, O’Rielly, Naughton. Subs- Crowley, Dean, McGrath, O’Shea, McGuire, Burns
Senior football league
Ballyboden St Endas 1 – 7; Kilmacud Crokes 0 – 14
A win in this game would have secured our position for a top four play-off for the league title. However, there is a more important game coming up on Sunday next in Mullingar so the management decided to rest most of those players who have played most games in the championship so far. And rightly so as the prize next Sunday is more important – a place in the Leinster final.
So with a very inexperienced team playing on Friday night in St Finians in Newcastle, the team was always going to be up against it with Crokes fielding an experienced team. Barra McGarry made his senior debut having starred for the minors in the county final against Ballymun the previous Sunday. And he did not look out of place.
Although we played with a strong wind in the first half, Crokes were first out of the traps and had three points on the board before we settled. Slowly we eased our way into the game but Crokes remained a couple of points ahead until Conor McCormack played a good ball across the Crokes goal mouth for Daniel Davey to punch home. While this brought us level, Crokes again took control and the half time whistle came leaving the score 1 – 4 to 0 – 8 in favour of Crokes. Our debut boy, Barra, contributed two of these points for us.
Playing against the wind in the second half was always going to be difficult and so it proved. A generally niggly game produced a number of yellow cards and eventually Darren Magee paid the price when he received a second yellow with about 10 minute to go. While we thought this might help us push on for a win, it was Crokes that responded best with Paul Mannion hitting over a great point following a 50 yard run. A few minutes later he scored another great point from a sideline ball. Our lads did not give up and kept plugging away but could not get the scores needed to win the match.
We still have a chance to make the top four league play-off in the last game of the league against Na Fianna.
TEAM: Darragh Gogan; Stephen Ward; Aran Waters; Sean Prendergast; Tom Hanafin; Dan Grimes; Shanne Durkin; Robbie McDaid; Donagh McCabe; Daniel Davey; Collie Dunne; Conor McCormack; Barra McGarry; Sam Moloney; Ciaran Archbold. SUBS: Brian Bobbett for Aran Waters (10 minutes – injured)