Results and Reports from weekend of September 8th

Minor A Hurling Championship – Ballyboden 1 06 St. Vincents 3 14

Costa del Marino looked resplendent on Sunday morning for this round-robin tie against St. Vincents.  There was a time when the Casino was visible from where we stood, but that was two centuries ago.

The early exchanges were fiercely competitive, both sides keen to get off the mark.

Boden, with the aid of the wind, matched Vins early scores from frees and a fine point from play, with Garrett Crowley to the fore. He pointed from frees and three from play, the best at the side line, a fine score. Ciaran O’Brien scored a fine point, a pass from Conor Deane, and he flashed home a great goal, after good passing freed him up. Cian Mellett worked hard in the engine-room to keep Vins in check and was well supported by Cian Murray. Vincents chipped in with three unanswered points, two from out the park and a free by Brian Bolger. Sean McCall at number 6 for Vins was standing out.

Half-time score, even-steven, 1 05 to 0 08.

The second half was an eye-opener for all, with Vincents showing why they are among the principals  for this title. They opened with three unanswered points, the best from mid-fielder McBride. Sean McDonnell volleyed over a fine point, when a goal opportunity slipped by. Boden now two points down and on the receiving end of huge Vins pressure, conceded two goals in the seminal period of play. Conor Reynolds fired home past the helpless Lyons and William Moloney volleyed home, after the corner man saved the ball from going wide.

Further pressure yielded a third goal from an overhead strike. The last ten minutes was fairly even, with Boden trying to get some reply, Leo Hester showing well, but with the home side now using a sweeper, the task was beyond them.

Boden must now wait for Clontarf and Whitehall in the group and hope to bag enough points to progress.

Boden: Andrew Boyd Lyons, Jack Mahon, Ruadhain Fanning, Kevin Cronin, Robert Leddy, Fergal Murray, Cian Mellett, Cian Murray, Sean McDonnell, Ciaran O’Brien, Luke O’Donoghue, Conor Deane, Dara Maguire, Garrett Crowley, Rian Cannon, Harry Coffet, Evan McDonnell, Neil Hester, Cian Kelly, Owen Wigglesworth, Michael O’Flaherty and Ronan Dooley.

Match Report Minor B Hurling Championship Sept 7th – BBSE v Kilmacud Crokes

The opening game of the hurling championship started last Sunday with home advantage. Conditions were perfect and both teams served up a great game of hurling. Ballyboden opened the scoring with a free from Ruairi Kirwan and both teams exchanged points in the first half leaving very little between them. Ballyboden were the stronger side but a goal and a point just before half time put Kilmacud leading by a point on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-10. Kilmacud continued to pile on the pressure but Ruairi Kirwan’s impeccable free-taking kept Ballyboden in touch. Mid way through the second half Kilmacud had build up a three point lead and continued to pile on the pressure. However, the Ballyboden lads showed great character and resilience. Starting with Oisin Carolan in goals, he was very reliable and was supported by tight marking in our defence and in particular by Peadar McMahuna at full back and Conor Kennedy at centre back. They kept runs down the middle by Kilmacud to a minimum. All defenders were excellent at supplying fast direct ball to the forwards and this paid off handsomly. The quality of shooting was superb and no less than seven of our players got on the scoring board with Ruairi the leading scorer of the day with a total of 0-11. Mark McGee and Eoin Kelly were in control at midfield scoring three points between them, but unfortunately Eoin had to retire early with an injury to his finger. However, Matthew Normile moved from the half forward line and filled this role with ease. Tommy Deane was very effective at centre forward and made some strong runs through the Kilmacud defence scoring two wonderful points. Ballyboden showed great mental strength and finished the stronger side winning by 0-19 to 2-11.

Results and Reports from weekend of September 1st

  • Junior B team fall to Liffey Gaels in Q/F (1 11 to 1 13). Click here for report from Conor McGahern Sheehan
  • Junior A hurlers have 4 points to spare over Cuala (3 15 to 2 14). Click here for report from Conor McGahern Sheehan.

Eamonn Gorman keeps his eye on the sliotar

  • Junior C team march on as they beat St. Pat’s (D) in play-off
  • Senior A beat Na Fianna in Mobhi Road (4 18 to 2 12)
  • Senior B hurlers reach semi after extra-time win over Kevin’s (2 26 to 1 20). Click here for report from Joe Wordsworth Roche

  • Congratulations to Chris Nagle and to Craobh Padraig Sydney who won their championship semi this weekend,  beating current champions Cusacks. Good luck Chris in the final next weekend. Chris is seen taking time out in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with big brother, Maurice.

 

Weekend Results

  • AHL1 – BBSE 2 18 Ballinteer St. Johns 0 10 (Report from grassrootsgaa.ie… click here)
  • AHL2 – BBSE 2 07 Naomh Fionnbarra 5 15
  • AHL 4 – BBSE A 2 08 St. Brigid’s 1 12
  • AHL4 – BBSE B 5 13 Faughs 3 13

  • Syncronised Hurling from Ballycullen.. Junior A V St.. Brigid’s (Photo by Mick Gorman)

  • Listen-up lads…..JR gives some half-time advice to the Junior A team. Photos by Mick Gorman.

Junior E Hurling Championship.

The third Policeman has often wondered why do we play sport and more especially why do we hurl? Hurling is dangerous, big hairy men with sticks, flaking, swiping, thundering around a field colliding into each other, and “don’t we all have to get up in the morning and go to work”??
Often answers are found in strange places. In Rathcoole  last Thursday night the Ballyboden Junior C hurlers played Commercials in a championship play-off and the truth was made known to the third policeman.

For those of us who partake, hurling is the best of us. Hurling defines us. Though the combined age of the Ballyboden Junior C hurlers was probably over one thousand years (and the combined weight would sink a large boat) nevertheless character was revealed. Strive, courage, defiance, imagination and dare I say it, a terrible beauty!!
Beaten by a point in the end, but a quarter final place still awaits.  Back to the club after for more of the best of us with sausages and sandwiches, pints of porter, spoofs and stories, laughter and lies.
Why do we hurl? You might as well ask why do we fall in love, why do we sing, why do we dance and why do we write poetry? Because it’s the best of us!!

Junior A  Hurlers Reach Semi-final

The first of the Hurling championship quarter finals took place in PUM  on Wednesday evening.  The pitch looked immaculate for this eagerly awaited game V Trinity Gaels.

Fielding a very experienced team,  BBSE made hard work of the first half in which they had the wind.

BBSE went into the break with a one point lead mostly thanks to the free taking of Mick Griffin.  A spirited Trinity Gael side drew level but then went behind to a Collie Durkin goal. Again Trinity Gaels drew level again until the midfield pairing of Lorcan Mullaney and Cian Mellett started to win more possession and provide more ball to the forwards.

With Johnny McCormack, Oisin Cannon and Ross Cullen driving on from the back the breaks were created and Joe Mernagh scored Boden’s second goal.

The game finished with a lovely point by Des O Sullivan after a 35 yard pass from Collie Durkin.

Final Score 2 13 to 0 14

Photographs courtesy of Mick Gorman

Des O’ Sullivan shows the way. 

Goal….Joe Mernagh buries it!

Rónan Sharkey keeps his eye on the ball!!

Oisín Cannon shortens his grip and strikes!