Result: 1-11 to 0-09
The JBs are unbeaten now in both Cup and league after another fine win up in Ballycullen on a warm Sunday morning. The Gods were kind to the JBs weather wise compared to the atrocious weather we endured last week in our league encounter. The pack was once again shuffled owing to our injury list but the great thing about this team is, the transition is seamless and players accept that they could be asked to play out of position and will gladly do so to help out the team. The game got under way and Ciaran O’Brien in midfield was first to react and set up our attack. Some neat play with our forwards and off the shoulder running resulted in Bodens first point from Bradley. Laurence Murphy was giving his usual dynamo performance and sent over two points in quick succession to keep the JB tally ticking away. Donal McCarthy was asked to play in the half forward line and sent in a sweet ball for Lynch to split the posts. Only for some excellent shot stopping from the Stars keeper prevented Boden from registering three goals, perhaps it would have been easier to send them over the bar. Michael Dunne at full back was dominant, ably assisted by Fitzgerald and Traynor. The JBs went in at half time to a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-1 to the good. Stars were going to come out of the blocks at pace in the second half and we were going to have to play controlled football. Defence was going to be key, our attacks were going to be sprung from our full back and half back line. Concentration levels were going to have to be at maximum. Stars did not disappoint and put us under a lot of pressure shooting into the dressing room end. They quickly split our posts with some excellent attacking play. We were in a game now. Young Murphy acted as our sweeper collecting any loose ball at the back and then counter attacking. Tommy Bourke at midfield had the bit between his teeth and helped settle the nerves with some excellent high fielding. Eoghan Buckleys hard work up front was rewarded with a well taken point. However we lost our shape along the way and allowed Stars get into scoring positions of their own. The pressure was definitely on. Some of our shot selection was off key slightly and just a little more composure on the ball in the final third would have helped at this time. We were making inroads, however we just couldn’t put the ball over the bar. Tommy sent in a high ball and Lynch somehow managed to get a flick on it and send the ball in to the back of the net. Alan Keane once again pulled off some brilliant saves in goal to keep us in it. Stars tried their best to break down the stubborn Boden defence but were beaten back at every attempt. They had a man taken down just outside the area and despite their cries for a penalty, the ref awarded the free. Boden packed the line, loose Stars men were picked up. Their midfielder let loose with a rasper of a shot and Fran somehow got a hand to it and when the ball was worked out to the half forward line, the referee brought the game to an end. Boden ran out winners to a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-9. Sometimes you have to learn how to grind games out and win ugly. A win is a win and we’ll take it. This team of Men have been fantastic all season, their never say die attitude is clearly evident. Up next is Portobello in the league next Sunday, a tough game for sure but one the JBs will relish. Report by Martin O Donnell.