Minor A Football Championship. Vs. Whitehall Colmcille..

08/09/2018. Venue: Pairc Úi Murchu.

 Result: Ballyboden St. Endas 4.15  Whitehall Colmcille 1.07

 The Minor A Football Championship campaign began on Sunday morning with the visit of reigning champions Whitehall Colmcille to Pairc Úi Murchu. This pairing was a repeat of last year’s county final with the home team anxious to reverse that narrow defeat. Conditions were perfect for football with the pitch in immaculate condition.

Whitehall made the better start with 2 early points before Luke Byrne opened Ballyboden’s account with a superbly taken free and followed up with a point from play to tie the scores. Another pointed free from Luke was followed by a well taken goal from Ryan O’Dwyer to edge Ballyboden in front. Jake Turley’s kick outs were constantly finding their targets as Jack Lambert and Sean O’Donnell led the way from the back. Whitehall were then awarded a penalty following a good move and the spot kick was expertly slotted home to leave the minimum between the sides. Conor Lowe and Harry Colclough were working hard at midfield with assistance from Robert Cullen to provide a supply to the forwards and further points from Luke and Ryan extended the lead.

A well worked passing move ended with a great finish to the net by Malachy Codd for the home team’s second goal with John McGuire, Ryan and Luke adding further points to leave the half time score 2.10 to 1.03 in favour of Ballyboden.

Early second half points from Whitehall were countered by well taken scores by John, Ryan and Malachy. Whitehall continued to apply pressure but excellent defence by Joey Donohoe, Harry Donaghy, Cian Maher and Conor Hanrahan kept chances to a minimum while Jake continued to deal very capably with any danger. Another excellent passing move was finished to the net by the tireless Pearce Christie for the third goal as the home team stretched the lead. Eoghan Gannon and Joe Maguire worked very hard on their introduction in defence with Conor Cullen, Eoin Behan and Dean Ralph contributing much in the forwards from the bench. John McGuire finished directly to the net from a close in free for the fourth goal before a point from Ryan closed out the scoring to leave the result at 4.15 to 1.07 when referee, David Murphy, sounded the full time whistle.

Great credit is due to both teams for the spirit in which the match was played.

The next championship match is away against Round Towers, Clondalkin on Sunday September 22nd. Thanks to the parents and the large Boden support who gave great encouragement to the team throughout the match. We wish our injured squad members a speedy return to fitness.

Special thanks to the club members responsible for the maintenance of the pitch which was in superb condition.

Squad: Eoin Behan, Luke Byrne, Enda Cashman, Pearce Christie, Malachy Codd, Harry Colclough, Conor  Cullen, Robert Cullen, Harry Donaghy, Joey Donohoe,Patrick Dunleavey, Eoghan Gannon, Conor Hanrahan, Adam Kelleher, Jack Lambert, Conor Lowe, John McGuire, Joe Maguire, Cian Maher, Sean O’Donnell, Ryan O’Dwyer, Hugh O Sullivan, Dean Ralph, Jake Turley.

Pics by Miriam Christie

Posted by BodenGAA on Monday, September 9, 2019