Result: 0 13 to 1 12

Boden MinorA hurlers fall short to St. Brigids

Ballyboden 13 pts. St. Brigids 1.12.

12Van the man still sings that “ they’ll be days like this”. A sizeable home support will hope that Sunday, weather wise, will not be repeated too often. St. Brigids were the visitors for this, sometimes ungentlemanly minor league match, the penultimate fixture before the break for the Leaving Certificate. The conditions were unsuitable for decent hurling, but both sides put that aside in their quest for two points.

With the wind and rain blowing straight down the spine of PUM, Boden chose the advantage in the hope of scoring a decent lead. Early scores from the speedy Michael Boland helped settle the home nerves, but Brigids were equally busy, creating a number of scored frees. The opening quarter was largely, won by Boden with more scores from Aiden Mellett and James Holland. Sean McDonnell, in particular was showing well, as was Jack Mahon in the number 7 shirt. Brigids had their influencers also, in the eleven shirt of David O’Callaghan, as well as McGuirk. A stinging shot for goal was saved by home goalman Conor Donoghue, but the ball went loose and Brigids smashed it to the net, a seminal moment, as it turned out. Neil Hester and Boland replied quickly to leave the half time 7 pts. to 1.7.

The visitors opened well in the second half and started to win the physical exchanges. Donnacha Ryan and Sean Dunphy were particularly impressive and Boden were finding it difficult to stay in the game. Cian Kelly pointed a beauty after good work by Mellett, but the home side was best served by full back Luke Corcoran during this period of Brigids domination. Aaron Coffey latched onto some decent ball and added two scores, but the gap remained stubborn at three, Brigids adding a few fine scores. Bodens best chance for a goal came next and a “scrum” in the square led to a free on the 20 metre. The point was taken and Boden followed up with five minutes of attack. Holland pointed a free, but the goal that was needed would not come, despite a series of decent opportunities. Referee Tony Lambe got noticed for the first time in the game, but his work was purely administrative, the dismissal of three players, Brigids now reduced to thirteen. Boden kept dominating in the last few minutes, but all they got in reward was a Boland point.

Boden: Conor Donoghue Kevin Cronin Luke Corcoran Karl Weldon Sean McDonnell Rob Leddy Jack Mahon John Murphy James Holland Cian Kelly Aaron Coffey Aidan Mellet Ciaran Ryan Neil Hestor Michael Boland Rob Byrne Luke O’Donoghue Daragh Byrne.