Senior 2 Championship Quarter Final

Castleknock 1 18 BBSE 1 15

In a repeat of their clash in the latter stages of the 2021 championship Ballyboden Senior B hurlers’ faced Castleknock in this year’s championship quarter final in Parnell Park on Saturday 24h September. Conditions were ideal with bright sunshine an no breeze of any consequence.

A close contest was expected and the opening minutes validated this. Fergal Ryan, playing at full forward was first on the scoresheet. This was followed by a fine point from Darragh Kenny from out on the sideline. Boden’s defence was working well in the opening quarter led by Conor Robinson and Naoise Maguire in the pivotal positions. Castleknock’s main dangermen Purcell and Boyle had a good spell to take Castleknock into the lead. A key moment occurred on 25 minutes when a long ball was dropping short and Ryan, with great anticipation and skill got his hurley to the ball to send it past the Castleknock goalkeeper to the net. It was deserved and with a further point from a free, the sides went to the dressing rooms all square Boden 1-5   Castleknock 0-8.

Boyle again got Castleknock off to a bright start to the second half with the first two points. As always, the industrious Matty Weldon, inspired his team and got Boden’s first white flag of the half. There followed a good spell for Boden who added points from Kenny, Ryan and Adam Kelleher. Boden had a good goal chance but the shot from Kelleher was just wide of the post and into the side netting. Two points in it as we entered the final fifteen minutes.

Cillian Kirwan and Conor Kennedy

This was Boden’s best stretch in many ways as three points on the bounce gave them the lead. The crowd certainly felt a momentum change and roared on the men in blue and white. Castleknock would not lie down however and once again edged ahead as we entered the final stages. Then, a long speculative ball was delivered to a crowd assembled in the Boden box. Unfortunately, it was met by a Castleknock player whose deflected shot gave Conor O’Donoghue no chance of saving it. Boden, to their credit, kept the pressure on right to the end but that goal was a blow from which they could not recover.

A very good performance against a talented team, they finish their season with their heads held high. Final score Boden 1-15   Castleknock 1-18.

Thanks to John Kirwan for the photos. Click here to view