Our Minor A ladies met Na Fianna in a much-anticipated semi-final on Sat, Sept 28th. After a thrilling set of qualifying games, finishing second place in a tough group, hopes were high as they took to the field in Mobhi Rd. The game started much as expected with both teams swapping scores, but the Boden girls finished stronger in a tense first half with four scores without reply to go into the break two points to the better.

HT: BSSE 1:06 Na Fianna 1:04

As would be expected of a Division 1 semi-final, the game was hard fought but evenly matched, and both teams defended tirelessly proving it difficult to get scores, but it was Na Fianna that got the better start in the second half with a goal and a point, to go two up after 10mins or so. Scores continued to be difficult to get but Boden managed to bring the game back to level as the game entered the last quarter. Less than fifteen minutes to go and all to play for, Boden needed to find another gear (which they had a habit of doing in previous games) to take control of possession and see this game out. However, after both teams swapping points, the game now on a knife edge, Na Fianna slotted a further point and after the ensuing kick out, managed to turn over the ball and quickly found the Boden net and followed up with another point a minute later, much to the delight of the large home support. Two minutes does not seem that long ordinarily, but in an end-to-end game that is heading towards the final whistle, it can be an eternity, a lot can happen, and a lot did happen. Boden replied to Na Fianna’s brief purple patch with a point from play that attempted to steady the ship, however Na Fianna’s defensive pressure did not relent, and scores were yet again elusive. In the dying moments of the game Na Fianna found the net once more to seal the victory and win the game by seven points.

No question the scoreline did not fully reflect the game. Two good sides battling it out for sixty odd minutes for a place in a championship final, a very entertaining game ebbed and flowed and on balance the better team on the day took the spoils. That’s sport, bitter & sweet on the opposite sides of a very fine line.

No matter the team, a semi-final exit will always be difficult to take, and a clearly dejected group of Boden girls gathered for their warm down after the game, for a few final words. It has been a season full of ups and downs, tears and laughter, but the girls have together moulded this team that has grown over the season and hopefully they all will have taken something away from these experiences and are the better for it. Best of luck to our U18 girls who now graduate into the senior ranks and to our U17 girls who are now the new minor ‘elders’.

FT: Boden 1:10 Na Fianna 4:08

Big thanks to Dave Rusk for the match pics throughout the season

Lauryn O’Brien Jennings, Olivia O’Brien, Karrie Rudden (c), Rachel Heavey, Emma Moran, Cara Cosgrove, Emma Fogarty, Ella Kenny, Saoirse Mc Mahon, Carla Callan, Aobh O’Neill, Charlie Murphy, Anna Horan, Ella Curtin, Áine Corser, Millie Larkin, Maggie Donaghy, Rachel Vaughan, Sadhbh Dunne, Sarah Rusk, Susie Greville, also Áine Mulvaney & Aoife Mc Laughlin (not pictured).