Junior B vs Ranelagh Gaels
Result: 3-15 to 0-07
The JBs were determined to keep the momentum going in this encounter against Ranelagh Gaels. Despite the recent bad weather, conditions were perfect. The ground was a bit soft, so the initial brief was not to bounce the ball, move the ball at pace. Both teams lined out and the referee got the game under way. Jamie Kavanagh in midfield was first to re-act to a loose ball. Gathering the ball on the run, he neatly passed of to Anthony Manning who in turn sent the ball into Eoghan Buckley. But the Ranelagh defence were quick to clear their lines and go on the offensive. Some poor finishing from both sides led to a rather subdued game for the first ten minutes with neither team registering a score. Boden had to up the intensity and they did in style. Fran Cooney grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with some inspirational defending at half back. His deep running into Ranelaghs half caused all sorts of problems. Linking up well with Kevin O’Reilly, he sent the ball to young Bradley who in turn rounded his man and hand passed of to Brian Kirwan. Brian kept a cool head to rifle the ball low into Ranelaghs net. Game on. This seemed to spark Boden into life. Brian Fitzgerald, ably assisted in defence by the ever youthful Aaron O’Reilly were key to Bodens counter attacking philosophy. As soon as they broke down the attack, the speed at which they got the ball out of defence and into the scoring zone was a joy to see. Donal Mccarthy was again instrumental at corner forward. The opposition could not handle his penetrating runs and was rewarded with a fine point of his own. Ian Clarke at half back was cleaning up and once again put on a master class in high fielding and distribution. O’Reilly calmly put away a penalty after Lynch was taken down in the area. Further points from Neil, Eoghan, O’Reilly and Manning settled Bodens opening nervy 10 minutes and by half time we were 2-8 to 0-1 in front. Oranges were had, water was supped, instructions were handed out by management. The opposition would have the wind at their backs, we would have to work the ball out from the backs up to our half forwards at pace. Lynch was first to tag on a point in the second half with Rosco getting in on the act himself. Donal Mccarthy got the score of the match when he got the shot away despite being closed down by four of the opposition. Gathering the ball from Kirwan and with four defenders closing him down, he dropped the shoulder and curled the ball high over the bar forty yards or so out. Young Murphy came on for the injured Kavanagh and settled into midfield winning ball after ball. Boden cleverly kept possession and after the ball was played from player to player, a score that would grace any All Ireland field split the posts after at least 15 passes from the excellent JBs. We weren’t finished there, plenty more in the tank. O’Reilly took his tally to 2-2 with the sweetest of goals, leaving the visitors keeper with no chance. Boden ran out winners with a scoreline of 3-15 to 0-7. The professionalism of this panel of players is a sight to behold and the management hold them in the highest regard. Numbers are high for training and when we set down a challenge, they gladly accept! A credit to all. Up next is Na Fianna in the league next Sunday, a tough test but one I know we can triumph in. Not forgetting that the team beat Garda in the League opener on Thursday with a score line of 2-12 to 0-6. It shows the ambition and drive of the entire JB panel. See below. Report by Martin O Donnell.