FT: Boden 2-10 St.Annes 2-07
Bohernabreena was the setting for our winner takes all clash against our near neighbours, St. Anne’s. Although a draw was good enough for Anne’s, they were out to win. We had recent history against us, giving that its 5 years since we tasted victory over them at this level.
We came flying out of the blocks with lynchy and josh kane ruling the skies. The movement up front from both Cashmans was mesmerising. They were a constant threat along with kelliher in the full forward line. Anne’s being Anne’s were not going to lie down easy on their own patch. Their cuteness managed to manufacture 2 1st half penalties, converting one, the other superbly saved by alan keane in goal. The bone-cruching hit by Conor dunne on the wing forward set the tone for the day in that 1st half. A marker was laid down and we were not going to bullied. Grourkes physicality at centre back was what was required and he duly obliged.
Dan O’Riordan, ben kelly and both cashmans were having a field day in the wide open spaces. Kelliher pointed when it looked like a goal was on. Josh scored a beauty followed by a brace each from the cashmans. A superbly taken goal by Dan O’riordan had us on the front foot.
Anne’s didn’t score from play with our defence on top. The marauding runs from full back liam mc were a constant threat and set up some nice scores.
Half time Boden 1-06 Anne’s 1-02
Miraculously Anne’s managed to bolster their subs bench by 3 at half time and duly entered them into the fray. The call went out, we knew now they were rattled.
A great decision by captain cathal regan to play up the hill in the second half. Anne’s love that hill. It was nip and tuck in the second half. Josh scored a peach to put us 5 up. It was quickly followed by 5 uncharacteristic wides by our lads. Anne’s crept back into the game mainly from frees. Suddenly it’s a 2 pt game. We knew what was coming. James kinsella, grourke and Conor dunne were setting up attack after attack from half back. Substitute tom gillanders steadied the ship at the back.we had all the possession but were not converting. Mick McDonald and brooksy were coping fine with the high ball but Anne’s managed to fist one goal. Suddenly we’re a pt down with 3 mins to go. A draw was no use to us.
The introduction of veteran Colum Reade proved to be a masterstroke. Picking the ball up out wide on the 21′, instead of going for a point, he squared it across the goal mouth. A great fetch by the impressive Ben Kelly who went for goal. Keeper pulled off a great save, but the industrious Eoin o’Dowd was on hand to convert to the top corner messi style. A cracking finish. From the kick out lynchy fielded a laid it off to the genial reade who slotted the point of the day.
We won by three. Into the 1/4 final now. At least the winter will be shorter!
Team: Alan keane,shane brooks,liam McNamara,mick McDonald, james kinsella,ray grourke,Conor dunne,josh kane (0-02), ian lynch,eoin o’Dowd (1-00),ben Kelly, dan o’riordan (1-00), ciaran Cashman (0-03), shane kelleher (0-01), Eoin cashman (0-03).
Subs: tom gillanders, colum reade (0.01), Cathal regan, Paul maher, ronan kelleher
Mentors: Donal Griffin , Cathal O’toole, Alex murphy, mikey Ryan