Result: 2-15 to 1-05
The conspiracy theorists among us smelt a rat when we arrived at Glenalbyn park to find half of the pitch flooded. The sprinklers had been left on for two hours previously,leaving conditions in one half precarious to say the least. The referee was calling the game off but left the final decision to Boden. I called the team together and left that decision to the panel. To a man,they wanted to play it here and now. Needless to say the team talk from Management was short and brief, our motivation and desire to win was set out for us. Take the game to Kilmacud and win your personal battles.
After a near fifteen minutes delay, we were under way. It was Kilmacud who registered the first score and sent the ball into the back of the Boden net after latching onto a loose ball. It was only after Kilmacud tagged on a point and going four points down that the JBs kicked into action. Brian Fitzgerald at half back played some neat one twos’ and sent the ball high over the bar to send us on our way. Vinnie Moran was immense yet again in the middle of the park and tagged on two points from play. Now we were playing ball. Some of the off the shoulder play was at a higher level for sure,a joy to watch. Our defence has been the bedrock of our season and were not surrendering a blade of grass. Adrian Minnock at corner back was out in front thwarting the Kilmacud attack,hard but fair is our motto and he was dogged in the tackle time after time. Michael Dunne at full back was marshling the defence like the professional he is,working the ball out of defence at pace. Lynchy latched on to a high ball from Vinnie and despite been under a lot of pressure from his marker,let of a shot. The keeper some how got a foot to it but Neil followed through and smashed the ball into the back of the net. Game definitely on now. I have always believed that the combined talent of this team would put away the best of teams out there. Well,they were now giving what I would call,the complete performance. Shane Tully at half forward was using all that experience and was making some excellent runs into space to create chances for his team-mates. Donal McCarthy is a player who has come through the minor ranks and has established himself as a vital cog in our team. His unselfish play and never say die attitude is a sight to see. Eoghan Buckley, another minor veteran, has now become a regular in our ranks. Boden went into the break 1-11 to 1-3 in front. Tracey had the oranges ready, water was handed out and the team spoke among themselves at first. The game plan was not to change, do not allow their backs to get the ball out of their half. Keep them under pressure, cut off the supply line to their forwards and go on the offensive. The JBs were raring to go in the second half, they wanted to get at the opposition and ran back on to the field of play to a roar from the sideline.
Young Mccarthy tagged on the first score of the second half after collecting a sweet pass from Enda Daly at half forward. Ian Clarke was brought on for the injured Vinnie Moran and set about settling in the high tempo game straight away. Boden were unforgiving in the tackle all around the field, if a ball was to be won there was no holding back.
Kilmacud tried putting on the pressure and after one ball was sent in high, Adrian read the flight of it perfectly and took ball and man with him with a crunching tackle. His marker was flat on the floor pondering life while Adrian was half way up the field feeding the forward line, hard but fair. Young Bradley came on for Shane and helped himself to two points along the way. With the clock ticking down the JBs still had plenty in the tank and scored another goal after substitute Ronan O Reilly lobbed the keeper from outfield. The referee brought proceedings to an end with Boden running out winners,2-15 to 1-5. To come to Kilmacuds home ground and win in such emphatic style speaks volumes of this JB panel. Five wins out of five now in the Cup,another win to make the final.Next is St Colmcilles in the Championship on the 14th at 3pm. Support very much needed. Boden Abu.Report. Report by Martin O Donnell.