Naomh Olaf 0-13 Baile Buadáin Naomh Éanna B 0-14
A sunny morning in Páirc Uí Bhriain brought Ballyboden St Enda’s Minor B and Naomh Olaf’s minor A hurlers together. Olaf’s enjoyed a 2 point victory in Sancta Maria a couple of months ago so we knew that our backs would be to the wall away from home. Daniel Daly was the first to get on the score sheet after less than two minutes with a lovely strike off his left hand side. Keelin Smith was next to point with a clinical deadball after good work by Scott O’Sullivan. Olaf’s however struck back quickly and levelled the game at two points each. One more free from Keelin and a bit of confusion as to what the referee had actually given and we hit the first water break 3 points to 2up.
Olaf’s are a good outfit and made life difficult forcing a lot of turn overs and denied Boden any clean possession. Conor Barnes changed our puck out strategy shortly after the water break which led to much better possession in the second quarter but there was no route to goal for either team. Both teams tagged on a few scores before half time with Boden leading 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. The cross- field wind favoured neither team but Olaf’s were playing with the hill and the sun now low in Conor Barnes’ eyes. Olaf’s sent in plenty ball but Seán Wall and Seán O’Shea were in a particularly mean humour and yielded nothing. Scott O’Sullivan took an inspirational score off his left side early in the second half and this set the tone for the rest of the match. The lads suddenly realised that this final was very much in their reach but they were going to fight hard for it. Sam Doyle’s introduction caused havoc in front of goal and several frees came Boden’s way. A heavy challenge on our Captain, Michael Hanrahan led to him leaving the field but he continued his strong leadership from the side-line. Scores were difficult to come by and frees were to be decisive. The Boden forwards ran great lines leaving no option but for the Olaf defenders to foul and block their route to goal. Scott O’Sullivan stepped up to take a two difficult frees but distance and accuracy was not an issue. Naomh Olaf traded scores until the last minute of this tense game. Another foul with minutes to go gave the excellent Scott O’Sullivan an opportunity to put Boden ahead which he gratefully accepted. However this also provided Naomh Olaf one last chance to launch another attack. However as another long ball pierced the defence Fionn Keating and Jack O’Connor marshalled the left hand side of the defence one last time and repelled the Naomh Olaf attack. A massive relief to hear the referee’s final whistle. Boden prevailed and hung on for a tight but well deserved one point victory.
If Carlsberg made Minor B hurling teams – this is what they would look like. The best Minor B team in Dublin and possibly the best in the country!
Boden Abú!
Match day squad: Conor Barnes, Jack O’Connor, Seán Wall, Michael Hanrahan, Fionn Keating Mac Dermott, Seán O’Shea, Reed Barry, Aodhán O’Reilly, Ollie Brophy, Scott O’Sullivan – Magne (0-5, 3f), Daniel Daly (0-1), Cian Durkin, Robbie O’Reilly, Darragh Brooks, Keelin Smith (0-6, 5f), Sam Doyle, Stephen Pullan, Jack Hutchinson, Leon Murphy, Lee McConnell, Andrew McGough, Scott Mc Donald, Conor Murphy, Kevin O’Donoghue, Sam Byrne, Thomas White, Darragh Ó Nuallain.
Laoch na hImeartha: Scott O’Sullivan – Magne