Congratulations to our Junior C Footballers as they were crowned Junior 5 All County Champions after a thrilling 1-12 to 1-09 victory over Skerries Harps in Abbotstown yesterday. A Dan O’Riordan goal in the dying minutes clinched the win with James Roche top scoring with 6 points. Captain Cathal Regan proudly lifted the cup to mark a great campaign for Griff (Donal Griffin), his management team and the whole panel of players. Report tbelow.
Back row L to R: Shane Kelliher, Ian lynch,Donal Griffin, Liam McNamara, Shane Brooks, Ray Grourke, Conor Dunne, Eoin Cashman, Josh Kane, Paul Ryan, Colum Reade, Ronan Kelliher, Cathal Regan (c), Mick McDonald, David Curtin, James Kinsella, Gearoid O’Healithe, Paul Maher,
Front row L to R: Conor Mckeown, Kevin Feeney, Eoin O’Dowda, Dan O’Riordan, Ciaran Cashman, Ben Kelly, Tom Gillanders, Mick Ryan, James Roche, Cian Mellet, David O’Connor, Dean Ralph, Joey O’Donoghue, Alan Keane. Not in picture Mikey Ryan, Neil Lynch and Alex Murphy
Junior 5 All County Football Champions. Well done lads Thrilling fame, great win #bodengaa
Posted by BodenGAA on Sunday, November 10, 2019
Abbotstown was the venue for our Junior 5 final against Skerries Harps. The same opposition beat us by 17pts in April in the round Robin in PUM. We knew we had to up our intensity levels to live with these skerries lads. The 4g surface in abbotstown is top class which augured well for this eagerly anticipated final. We had great support considering the clash with our seniors in leinster club action in Drogheda.
We registered the 1st pt of the game from the lively James Roche at full forward. It settled our nerves after a jittery start. Our forwards were getting on a lot of ball but some smart tactical fouling by skerries was slowing us down. David Curtin was through with a goal chance but took the wise option and fisted it over the bar. That’s the experience of a man playing in an adult championship final for the 13th time. Curtin and Josh were flying in midfield. Josh was breaking some lovely ball with our half back line ravenous for the loose ball. Doc, Dean and Joey were keeping skerries on the back foot with their incisive runs into the heart of their defence. Our running game was causing havoc on this surface. Roche clipped a free and another beauty from play to put us 5 up. We kept them to 1 pt from play in that 1st half but they slotted 3 frees.
Ray Grourke kicked a peach of a point to put 4 between us at the interval.
There wasnt much to say at half time. We were motoring well but just needed to be more clinical in front of goal. Josh Kane got the 1st pt of the second half to put us 5 up. We had more chances to extend our lead but failed to capitalise. Our full back line of Liam Mc, Conor Dunne and Mick Ryan were on top giving nothing away. The calming influence of big Al in goal was reassuring especially on kick outs. Conor Mckeown and Cian mellet covered every blade of grass, also dropping deep for kickouts and setting up attacks through the busy Paul Ryan and the ever industrious Eoin O’Dowd. With 5 between us, skerries got in for a goal. It woke us up but also gave them new found belief. The introduction of Ian lynch, Dan O’Riordan, Ben Kelly and Cashman paid immediate dividends with Dan getting the goal. We were on for a nervy finish. The lads stood up when they were needed, none more so than big Al in goal ,who pulled off a point blank save late on that would’ve seen extra time. Conor Dunne’s dismissal for a second yellow was baffling in the dying moments. Thankfully we held on with some commanding defence from Brooksy and Ryan. James Roche finished the day with a 6 point (2 frees) salvo.
It was time for Mr. Ballyboden himself , Cathal Regan to collect the cup on behalf of the players. A proud moment for all of us and a great day for Cathal.
Myself (Donal Griffin) and Cathal O’Toole would like to thank our chairman Jack Nolan, who has been brilliant with us this year ably assisted by John Madden, our secretary.
We would also like to thank Tony Duffy who provided us with minors this year. Great lads with a bright future in this club.
Thanks also to Dave and Keith O’Donnell who kept the training going after their season finished. Also Shane Brooks for his coaching and sound advice. We couldn’t forget oul Scutsy who kept this team going singlehandedly.
Thanks to Danny Griffin for getting sponsorship for the meal from Dublin tile and Bathroom Centre and Csignandprint (Tom Collins).
Thanks to Paddy Brady for the meal and to the genial Mick Farrell and staff who always do a great job.
Lastly to the players. Delighted for this group of lads. Commitment, desire and will to win got us this County title. Enjoy the celebrations
