Back Row (l-r) Dan O’Sullivan (Mentor), Declan O’Reilly (Mentor), Vivian Ruddy (Mentor), Gráinne O’Malley, Fiona Ní Chorcoráin, Elaine McGrath, Aisling Farrelly, Jenny Ward, Susan White, Natalia Hyland, Rachel Nugent, Alice Gillen, Ciara Ruddy, Edel Drury, Caroline Conway, Rachel Ruddy, Sarah O’Brien, David ‘’Hammi’’ Cunningham (Physio), Noelle Comyn

Front Row (l-r) Sorcha Farrelly, Megan Carney, Maria McGrath, Paula McGrath, Teresa Molohan, Sarah Denvir, Orla Scollard, Mags Fitzgerald, Joanne O’Sullivan, Gemma Fay, Claire King, Karen Hopkins.

Missing from photo: Finnian Hyland (Manager)

The perfect combination of experience, youth and pace has always proved a winning formula for the Ballyboden Ladies Senior team. From our first senior county final in 1999 under the guidance of Bill Daly, to our last win in 2010, no victory in these 12 seasons ever came easy. One thing however always remained constant and that was the grit, determination and work ethic of this group. In the 2010 season Finnan Hyland led the charge as manager with Vivian Ruddy, Declan O’Reilly and Dan O’Sullivan in as selectors.

Having won 9 nine in a row from 2000 to 2008, losing in 2009 at the hands of Na Fianna, pressure was most certainly on to prove that the Ballyboden ladies team weren’t past their sell by date. A semi-final clash with county champions Na Fianna ended all square with the Boden girls claiming victory in the replay with the slightest of margins, 0-12 to 0-9. Key players such as Natalia Hyland, Ciara Ruddy and Claire King were rising through the ranks providing an injection of pace while the ever steady ‘Corco’ captained the side ensuring we were all ready to face the upcoming county final. Fiona Corcoran, famously was the one to put the ball over the bar in the most dramatic of finishes on our 1st All Ireland win in 2004. It was no coincidence that she was now the one to steer us into battle to win back the county title.

Now back in the 11th final in 12 seasons, the team was ready to face new kids on the block Fingallians. Boden started strongly with Ciara Ruddy and Natalia Hyland clocking scores within the opening 6 minutes. Ballybodens second goal came from Gemma Fay in the 19th minute. Fingallians did come back fighting after the break, slotting a goal in but Boden ladies proved too strong, winning out 3-13 to 1-05.

Of the 28 member panel that competed that year, we had 4 All stars/Replacement All stars in our midst, with nearly a decade between Noelles Comyns All star award in 2001 and the first of Rachel Ruddy’s All star awards in 2010. Seven players were part of the first win in 2000 and also the success in 2010. Three of these players, Joanne O’Sullivan, Gemma Fay and Sorcha Farrelly hold all 10 championship medals. These stats help to reassure that no win comes easy. It takes years of dedication, determination and above all, camaraderie and the love of playing with a unique bunch of girls.

To watch the video of the game, see here

Video by Dave Bass. Many thanks to John Galvin for making it available at a click of a button!