Result: 3-16 to 1-08
Another wet Sunday morning following a sun-drenched Saturday and the Junior A team took to the field in Ballycullen. The pitches were in immaculate condition and geometrically perfectly lined – thank God the master of this craft steers clear of the club bar before his precision artistry.
The game started slowly with both teams struggling to adapt to the slippery conditions. Sharp turns led to the inevitable kissing of the turf. The ball resembled the oft referenced bar of soap – more like the little evasive hotel room variety rather than the old carbolic block of old. Our opponents were first to tame this uncooperative piece of imperial leather and put two points on us in the first five minutes. One could feel that a response wasn’t far away and it duly arrived from the boots of the golden Sam and the spritely Gillo. Things were looking up when Mono hit a fine point long range point from the right towards the Everest like hill behind the goal. Boden were now in front. A couple of points from the visitors were answered by Karl Reddy who had abdicated his defensive duties to slot over a sweet point – apparently Karl’s first football point since Go Games – well done Karl. However we still hadn’t tamed the focal point of this game and Peregrines levelled the game with a long range point and went on to slot home a cheeky goal from a close in free that dropped to a surprised forward on the edge of the square who slotted home sweetly. Was this the portent of things to come? Absolutely not. A Boden raid down the right saw the ball move quickly around the goal mouth where it fell to Mattie Weldon who drove the ball sweetly to the top left corner beyond the flying keeper. Mattie was wondering what all the fuss was about as this big piece of leather is much more forgiving than what he’s normally used to.
At the break the sides were level at 1-6 apiece with points from Tommy and Bagsie.
After some tough talking at half time we knew that we had to up our performance levels and adapt to the conditions which had by this stage steadily improved. Players were beginning to find their feet and their team mates with good quick passes. In the middle Rob Donohue and Tommy were competing for and winning good ball. The backs by this stage had tightened up considerably nothing was getting past Conor and Karl – every team needs big men at the back. Once again Kev, Fionnan and Mark were reminding our visitors that to breach our half back line they’d have to do something special. Mattie, Bagsie and Gillo set the tone for the second half with three smart points. Boden were now getting into their stride with quick ball being played into the inside forwards who if not taking their own scores played the supporting runners – one of whom was Sam who slotted home a fine goal. Boden were in complete control and further points from Mattie and Bagsie confirmed this. In fact Mattie worked another fine goal opportunity after turning and beating three players saw his missile rebound off the post. Cian Lynch followed up another fine performance with a goal that rolled agonisingly into the corner of the net. The game fizzled out as the gap continued to widen. A tough first half followed by a slick workmanlike second was enough to give Boden a well earned victory. The raids upfield in the second half by our visitors were well defended and where they got through Allen was there to make some fine saves. Allen’s kick-outs and general play were the ideal launch pads of some swift attacks resulting in scores.
It was a great effort to get lads out for this back match and particular thanks to Mattie and Karl for their commitment to the club.
Squad: Allen Kennedy, Fionnan Keogh, Karl Reddy (0-1), Conor Conway, Keith Sweeney (0-1), Kevin Cronin, Mark McGee, Tommy Burke (0-1), David Leech, Sam Lally (1-2), Cian Lynch (1-0), Rob Donohue, Ruairi Kirwan (0-4), Eoghan Monahan (0-1), David Gilheaney (0-4), Matthew Weldon (1-2)