Result: 4-14 to 1-07
A good performance by the Junior A footballers in the first round of the championship . Their opponents ,Naomh Mearnog , were not alone at home but also fielding one of their former great Dublin stars Shane Carthy. Ballyboden had a strong wind in first half however it took the younger team a while to settle into the game with Naomh Mearnog’s sweeper system preventing supply into the full forward line. However once Ballyboden half back and midfield line started to dominate possession eventually the points started to flow. Despite Boden being ahead by 8 points to 2 , the home team were well in the game only to squander a number of chances in the first 25 minutes however, a quick ball into Adam Carney paid big dividends for Boden, when he turned and crashed the ball into the net. A further point from Damien Kenny had Ballyboden leading 1-10 to 0-3 at half time.
It was vital for Naomh Mearnog that they start the second half well but Boden had other ideas and when Ciaran O Brien won primary possession and let Cian Murray attach at pace , a quick one two saw Brian Kirwin score another goal for the visiting team. The game was effectively over as a contest but both teams , to their credit, kept up the intensity in the game. Each time Naomh Mearnog appeared to be getting back into the contest , the Boden forwards were taking their scores . Two further goals from Ross McGrath and Adam Carney and a 45m free from Evan Flanagan were the highlights of the second half.
Final score Ballyboden 4-14 Naomh Mearnog 1-7
Ballyboden now meet Man O War in R2 of the championship on Sunday May 15th .
Scorers : Adam Carney 2-7, brian Kirwin 1-2, Ross McGrath 1-2, Evan Flanagan 0-1, Luke O Donoghue 0-1, Damien Kenny 0-1