Result: 2-09 to 1-09
AFL Div 3 Round 2
Ballybodens first win in the league came at the expense of a strong and well drilled home who just could not match the visitors greater work rate and scoring power. Indeed were it not for some wayward shooting by the visitors this game could have been over earlier that the referees final whistle. The home side started brightly and notched a fine individual score before Boden open up their account with a well take score from O Donoghue. Monaghan added a nicely taken score from a free from distance before Murphy and the ever industrious Walsh added to their tally. Boden were motoring well at this stage when disaster struck. A poorly struck pass across their own goal allowed a Sylvesters forward to pounce and although he failed to gather the ball, the referee indicated that he had been impeded in the attempt and duly pointed to the spot. There was little that McNamee could do as the ball whistle passed him on its way to the top left hand corner. Parity restored for the home side.
Walsh added a firth point just before the break and on the whistle Sylvesters tipped over the equalizer to leave the scores at 1-02 to 0-05 at the break.
Boden looked the stronger at the start of the 2nd period but it was the home side who notched the first two scores and the visitors looked in trouble. But as the half wore on Boden upped the ante. Carolan advanced from wing back to notch a quality score before Bates levelled matters. Back came the home side to take the lead before Walsh added his third and O Donoghue added his second to put Boden one up heading in to the last ten minutes. The home side threw caution to the wind and went all out for the equalizer. Boden held firm and with a giant of a performance from Heavey and his young defence, Boden held the home side off. In a lightning counter attack the ball was move swiftly down field through 7 sets of hands before the elusive Bates rocketed the leather to the net. The build up to this score was a joy to watch. Strong running, good pass selection, unselfish hard work and a great finish from an ace sharp shooter. The home side lifted the pace of their attack again and were it not for a magnificent save from the very alert McNamee, Bodens lead would have been down to the minimum. Sylvesters notched a final score from a 45, to put the goal between them but Boden never looked like conceding at the end.
There were some stand out performances, but Boden had no weaknesses in their team. Great cohesion and an undeniable work rate saw them put together some delightful scores.
Their defence, marshalled by the excellent Heavy was strong throughout with the two Maguires and McGrath who had a great hour. In the half back line Cullen was teak tough at centre back with Carolan adding go forward momentum all the time especially as the game wore on. In the middle Flaherty and O Donoghue were at their best. Up front Monaghan was an ideal target man alongside Dunne who worked his passage well. In Walsh, Boden had a prize attacker as his shooting was solid throughout and his movement and causing problems for the home defence. O Reilly at centre forward led the charge and set up a lot of the attacks. Bates was his usual self, running tirelessly and taking his scores when they presented themselves. Burke, Keller and Kilduff all made telling contributions when introduced as legs began to tire and this strength in dept pushed the visitiors over the line.
Boden: M McNamee, F McGuire, G Heavey, T McGrath, N Maguire, S Cullen, O Carolan (0-01), L Donoghue (0-02), L O Flaherty, C Bates (1-01), E O Reilly, J Murphy (0-01), D Walsh (0-03), E Monaghan (0-01) M Dunne (0-01)
Subs; H Keller for E O Reilly 48 mins, T Bourke for N Maguire 51 mins, D Kilduff for E Monaghan 54 mins, N Maguire for S Cullen (injured) 56 mins.
Subs not used J Kane