Go Ahead AHL 6
Ballyboden St Enda’s 3 17 Naomh Barrog 0 12
After the opening 20 minutes of this contest few would have imagined the above arithmetic. The visitors lead by 0-8 to 0-5 and were putting the hosts very much under the hammer. Boden were endeavouring to put out fires that were breaking out all over the field. The Barrog midfield and half forward line were making hay and indeed but for some poor shooting and dubious decision making a bigger lead would not have flattered them.
All was to change when the Barrog goalkeeper misjudged the flight of a Conor Casey puck and suddenly and somewhat fortuitously Boden were level. This was in the 20th minute of the half and from here to the break Boden established a commanding lead of six points. Brian Kennedy, Ciarán Twomey and Brian Cummins commanded their zones and were responsible for some fine scores. To the credit of the whole team everybody stepped up. The experienced heads lead by example with Darren Lennox and Mark McGovern in command at the back. The aforementioned Kennedy, Cummins and Twomey lead the offence and the young guns followed suit with Adam Fischer trailing a blaze for the millennials. The two U-19s brought on board, Fionn Keating McDermott and Cathal Casey, played as if to the manor born and gained invaluable experience hurling with the big boys.
Two quick goals in the 10th and 13th minutes of the second half finished off this contest. Jack Kenny rounded off a fine team move to score the second goal while Brian Cummins burst his way through for a third. From there to the finish it was an exercise in decorating the victory and putting a blas on the points difference column.
Team: Marc MacLiam, Kevin Brady, Conor Barton, Mark McGovern, Alan McGovern, Darren Lennox, Dave Barrett, Jonathan O’Donoghue, Brian Kennedy 0-4, Denis Callanan, Ciarán Twomey 0-3, Micheál Manning, Adam Fischer 0-3, Brian Cummins 1-6, 4 frees, Jack Kenny 1-0, Cathal Casey 1-1, Johnny McCormack, Fionn Keating McDermott.