Result: 0-10 to 3-12
No stone was left unturned in the preparation for this Championship game. Training sessions were intense and attendance was excellent. We knew we were facing Olafs’ second team but that did not faze the panel. In fact it seemed to galvanise everyone and raise our game. Mentally and physically we were prepared. Bags were loaded on to the coach and we set of for Sandyford . The warm up was intense, minds were focused. At 11am the referee got the game under way. Olafs tagged on a couple of early points after some direct play. Bodens defence were working hard to break down the attack and go on the offensive. Liam McNamara was in fine form and out in front of his man time after time. Ian Clarke was working the half back line, literally putting his body on the line with his pinpoint blocking. Bodens direct play was causing all sorts of problems for the Olafs defence. Kevin O Reilly tapped over a couple of frees to get Boden up and running. Cormac Smyth was the link between the half backs and the forward line and supplied some excellent ball to young Lawrence Murphy. However, Olafs got a fortuitous goal but we stuck at it and were rewarded with points from Vinnie Moran, Darren McGovern and Kevin O’Reilly. At the half whistle we were just four points down. The message was not to panic, stay focused and to keep on the front foot. In the second half our work rate was still evident. Charlie McPartland was running at the Olafs defence causing them all sorts of problems. Indeed he was very unlucky when he broke out of defence and went on a run down the wing, Olafs couldn’t get near him, he cut in to his right and let a rocket of a shot into the lower right corner. It had goal all over it but somehow their keeper got down and parried it out. Olafs were taking their scores well and showed why they are unbeaten all season. But Boden never gave up and fought right to the end. James McTiernan and Anthony Manning were excellent in defence. Enda Daly in the middle of the park was still looking to tag on scores and was still setting up our attack! However time was not on our side and the final whistle blew. We gave it our all, emptied the tank and had no regrets. The entire panel can be proud of themselves, the Management couldn’t have asked for more. I wish Olafs all the best in the final and at least we can say we played the winners and didn’t let them have it all their own way. The JBs are sitting 3rd in the League and a playoff place and promotion very much on.
Boden Abu. Report by; Martin O Donnell.