Junior C Championship
Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-13 Erin’s Isle 3-11
Looking at results from previous matches in this group one would have put Ballyboden as hot favourites, on paper, to extend their unbeaten run at Sancta Maria on Sunday last. However, this game was played on grass, not paper, with lots and lots of wind. The home side decided to play against it in the first half but it was the visitors who had the upper hand throughout the half. Goals in the 4th and 16th minutes were a major contribution to a 10 point leads which Erin’s Isle established by half time. The home side struggled for scores and a total of four points was their lot for the half.
A fast start to the second half was required if this game was to be salvaged. Within 12 minutes of the restart Boden had incredibly drawn level. Aidan Dundon fired over 2 fine points before Gareth Crowley drove through the middle to fire home a goal. Brian Cummins goaled after 10 minutes of the half and Crowley levelled from a free with only 12 minutes gone. Erin’s Isle proved to be very resilient opponents and a quick-fire 1-2 before the second water break re-established their superiority.
In the 4th quarter Boden managed to draw level again but a succession of stoppages due to injuries put a stop to their momentum. In the last minute of 7 minutes of stoppage time Erin’s Isle broke downfield to score the winning point.
Team: Marc MacLiam, Alan McGovern, Murray Breen, Kevin Brady, James Murray, Liam Duffy, Rian Cannon, Gareth Crowley 1-8 (3 frees, 1×65), Seán Lambert, Jonathan O’Donoghue, Ciaran Twomey 0-1, Brian Cummins 1-0, Adam Fischer, Aidan Dundon 0-3, Eoghan Deignan 0-1 Subs. Adam O’Neill, Andy Hand, Conor Barton, Dave Barrett.
Junior A Hurling Championship
BBSE 2 22 Réalt Dearg 1 09
Having already qualified for the qtr final with 2 wins in the bag, the squad were in buoyant mood heading into the Castle grounds last Saturday evening for their clash with Réalt Dearg who had beaten us in a great match 2 years ago by a point in extra time.
The grass – as was the case 2 years ago was woefully high ….ode for the want of a sharp mowing machine or a truck load of hungry bullock’s – unfortunately both in short supply around Drimnagh!
Anyway the ball was thrown in and the game was on. Chris Lambert (not unlike Ayrton Senna) is a good starter and hit over the 1st point of the game, another followed from a free by sharpshooter Rhys McDonald. Lambert got another following a good run. Boden seemed on top throughout the pitch, Alan McGrath, Ruairi Kirwan and the evergreen Darren Lennox were clearing a lot of ball from defence and finding their men with good clearances. Jason continuing his good form from the last match hit over a pt and Rhys obliged from a free on Lambert. 1st qtr 0 – 5/ 0 -1.
Young Joe Maguire playing at 6 made a great catch from a puc-out, passed to Jason and straight over the bar. Ruairi (Bagsy) made a great block when a goal looked on for the opposition, Boden were playing well but not converting their dominance into scores. Sean O’Donnell and Luke Mulligan Lynch (LML) – both fine hurlers were both playing well at midfield and distributing good ball. Dan Nugent got in on the action with a point before Jason got a goal from broken play. Half time 1 – 11/1 – 03 with Rhys McDonnell making a major contribution from play and placed balls.
Owen Wigglesworth was introduced and made a fairly instant impression with a great run from out in the corner all the way to the square – passed to Daniel O’Riordan = goal. A few minutes later Owen got a goal of his own only to be called back for over carrying. Nugent and LML got 2 classy points. The game was virtually over at that stage but the lads kept the pressure up and eventually ran out winners 2 -22/ 1 – 09.
Coincidentally for the 2nd match in a row a ‘yellow helmet’ was nominated for the motm gong, on this occasion = Rhys McDonnell who scored 1- 13 (0-5 frees) – an impressive performance indeed.
Team; Ronan Sharkey, Alan McGrath, Des O’Sullivan, Ruairi Kirwan, Darren Lennox, Joe Maguire, Sean O’Donnell 0-1, Enda Cashman, Luke Mulligan Lynch 0-1, Daniel Nugent 0-3, Chris Lambert 0-2, Jason Devery 1-2, Rhys McDonnell 1-13, Ben Kelly, Daniel O’Riordan 1-0. Subs; David Gilheaney, Owen Wigglesworth, Ruairi Hestor, Owen McKenna, Neal Farrell,