Thursday, 7th July 2016

Result: 3 09 to 1 13

Le Fear Bog Reports from 12th Lock

Sometimes the score line does tell a lie. Let’s take a closer look at the figures from this game.  Ballyboden had 12 scores while Lucan had 14.  Boden had 7 wides to Lucan’s 13.  Lucan’s 13 wides amounted to a miss rate of 47% of their shots on goal.  Ballyboden were much more clinical in their finishing and it was this aspect of their play which eventually was the difference between the sides.   Statistics do not lie betimes.

Ballyboden had to rely on a blockbuster penalty in the last minute from goalkeeper Conor O’ Donoghue to sneak a win at 12th Lock on Thursday last.  Even then the Lucan boys were not finished and a point in injury time left them coming up just short at the final whistle.

Against a well drilled, organised and tenacious side Ballyboden just about preserved their 100% record in the Minor A League.   Ballyboden got off to the perfect start with a point from midfielder Cillian Byrne.  However, from there Lucan took over and a goal and a point in the 10th and 11th minutes gave them a well deserved lead.  Ballyboden backs were to the wall and only for a goal midway through the half from corner forward Ben Kelly and the free taking of Conor Barton, this game could have drifted away. Cathal Creed at corner back was leviathan in his attempts to keep Lucan at bay.  The score of Ballyboden 1-7 to Lucan’s 1-5 at half time did not do justice to the West Dublin lads.

The second half continued in the same manner and slowly Lucan took over and this was reflected in the scoreboard and by the mid-way point of the half they had levelled the match. Scores were being exchanged to keep things close but in the 24th minute Shane Kennedy blasted to the net to give Boden a slender lead. In the sprint for the finish line a succession of Lucan scores from play and frees left them in the ascendancy. Ballyboden were finding it difficult to get within scoring range as a determined half back line kept them at arm’s length.  And in the last minute up stepped O’Donoghue to save the day.  A close run thing.

Ballyboden now take on Cuala at Sancta Maria on Sunday next 10th July.

Scorers:  Conor Barton 1-5 (4 frees), Shane Kennedy 1-1, Ben Kelly 1-0, Cillian Byrne 0-1, Eoghan Monahan 0-1, Daniel Nugent 0-1.

Team: C O’Donoghue, C.Creed, R.Wallace, T.Glynn, C.Ryan, L.Corcoran, J.Holland, C.Byrne, K.Reddy, S.Kennedy, C.Barton, D O’Riordan (K.Lalor half time), R.Byrne, E.Monahan, B.Kelly (D.Nugent half time) Sub. S.Choi O’Broin.