Result: 1 06 to 3 14
Costa del Marino looked resplendent on Sunday morning for this round-robin tie against St. Vincents. There was a time when the Casino was visible from where we stood, but that was two centuries ago.
The early exchanges were fiercely competitive, both sides keen to get off the mark.
Boden, with the aid of the wind, matched Vins early scores from frees and a fine point from play, with Garrett Crowley to the fore. He pointed from frees and three from play, the best at the side line, a fine score. Ciaran O’Brien scored a fine point, a pass from Conor Deane, and he flashed home a great goal, after good passing freed him up. Cian Mellett worked hard in the engine-room to keep Vins in check and was well supported by Cian Murray. Vincents chipped in with three unanswered points, two from out the park and a free by Brian Bolger. Sean McCall at number 6 for Vins was standing out.
Half-time score, even-steven, 1 05 to 0 08.
The second half was an eye-opener for all, with Vincents showing why they are among the principals for this title. They opened with three unanswered points, the best from mid-fielder McBride. Sean McDonnell volleyed over a fine point, when a goal opportunity slipped by. Boden now two points down and on the receiving end of huge Vins pressure, conceded two goals in the seminal period of play. Conor Reynolds fired home past the helpless Lyons and William Moloney volleyed home, after the corner man saved the ball from going wide.
Further pressure yielded a third goal from an overhead strike. The last ten minutes was fairly even, with Boden trying to get some reply, Leo Hester showing well, but with the home side now using a sweeper, the task was beyond them.
Boden must now wait for Clontarf and Whitehall in the group and hope to bag enough points to progress.
Boden: Andrew Boyd Lyons, Jack Mahon, Ruadhain Fanning, Kevin Cronin, Robert Leddy, Fergal Murray, Cian Mellett, Cian Murray, Sean McDonnell, Ciaran O’Brien, Luke O’Donoghue, Conor Deane, Dara Maguire, Garrett Crowley, Rian Cannon, Harry Coffet, Evan McDonnell, Neil Hester, Cian Kelly, Owen Wigglesworth, Michael O’Flaherty and Ronan Dooley.