Result: 1-12 to 1-11
Minor C Football Championship Round 1 Sunday 11th September 2016
Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-12 to Craobh Chairain 1-11
Championship only comes around once a year so safe to say that the Boden lads were primed to perform their best on Sunday last in Sancta Maria. As usual the wind was a big factor and it led to a classic game of 2 halves. Boden started brightly and were 4 pts up after 10 mins with some excellent point taking following super link play from the half backs Tommy Glynn & Fionnan Keogh ably assisted by Michael O’Brien from midfield leading to points from Conor Barton 2, Ben Kelly & Jack Basquel, a minute later & Boden assumed complete control following a goal from Jack Basquel. By half time the lead was stretched with points from Conor Barton, Ben Kelly, Jamie Dooney & Michael O’Brien 1-9 to 4pts and everything looked rosy.
However having had the benefit of a very strong wind in the 1st half it was now Boden’s turn to defend. The 2nd half started well with points from Ciaran Cashman & Michael O’Brien and Boden were still in control by 1-11 to 5 pts after 8 mins. But Craobh Chairain were not going to lie down and came storming back to within 2 pts by the 20th minute of the 2nd half, following 5 unanswered points & a goal. This was despite the stout defending of the Boden backs, in particular Fionnan Keogh, Shane Bobbett Rory Hestor, Rob Keegan & Ronan Wallace and a couple of fine saves from Jack Kelly in the goal. For the next 7/8 minutes it was backs to the wall as Craobh tried to close out the game but Boden were resolute in their defending and as Craobh drew level in the last minute of normal time it looked grim. The introduction of subs Rob Donohue & Eoghan McGarvey helped to add some energy as the game drifted away, however Boden were not to be denied and following a mazy solo run from Ben Kelly deep into injury time a free was awarded within striking distance of the Craobh goal. Up stepped Daniel O’Riordan and displaying nerves of steel he pointed the free with the last kick of the game to give Boden the victory.
Squad: Jack Kelly, Shane Bobbett, Rob Keegan Ruairí Hester, Fionnan Keogh, Ronan Wallace, Tommy Glynn, Conor Barton (0-3), Michael O’Brien (0-2),Ciaran Cashman (0-2),Ben Kelly (0-2),Daniel O’Riordan (0-1) Jamie Dooney (0-1) Luke Grady, Jack Basquel (1-1), Rob Donohue, Eoghan McGarvey, Tommy Deane, Luke Bolger & Ciaran O’Reilly
Mentors: Peter Shovlin,, Ian Clarke, Frank Basquel, Colm Bolger and Tony Wallace.