Ballyboden St Endas 1 09 Na Fianna 1 23

The Long Fella Reports from Sancta Maria

The daffodils bowed their heads in submission on Sunday morning as a modest gathering of supporters took their positions on the rail for Round Two of the senior hurling league Division one. Early morning rain threatened to spoil the game as a spectacle, but both sides committed fully in search of the brace of points on offer. The visitors recent form was a division above that of the home side, given their easy victory over Boden in the 2023 county final, not to mention their superb performance in the Leinster Club championship.

The good start that Boden needed just went completely wrong when Na Fianna netted within twenty seconds of the throw-in, A.J.Murphy the finisher. The pattern was set in favour of the county champions, similar to that of the county final, and only interrupted by Boden’s second half goal. By the end of the first thirty, the scoring gap was twelve points, with Boden on just four singles, three off the stick of Darragh Kenny and a solitary free from centre back Conor Dooley. Na Fianna spread their scoring well with Murphy fluent from frees and play. Others who impressed for the visitors were the Staceys –  Ciaran and Liam, Gavin King (a superb point), Oisin Cullen and Brian Ryan. All across the Sancta Maria pitch Boden were playing second fiddle, although they created one of the best scores when Luke Corcoran placed Kenny in open territory for a classy score. Na Fianna also created good openings, especially when King profited from some quality team-work. Half time 1.13 to 0.04.

Boden came out in the second half with a more determined approach and raised the tempo of their hurling. But it was Na Fianna who were creating the chances and an early brace from Jack Guinan. Boden replied with a Darragh free and a smasher of a score from Corcoran, using his speed to beat the cover. Ben Gaughran replied for Na Fianna. Murphy kept up his quality play with frees and a brace from play. Boden kept pushing forward and were rewarded when John McGuire pointed and Niall Ryan went on his customary charge and found Luke McDwyer in space for their goal. The gap was then back to the half time difference. The final quarter was dominated by Na Fianna, using some of their substitutes. Boden failed to create decent chances and there was some relief for the modest home support when the referee blew the final whistle.

Boden: Conor O’Donoghue, Stephen O’Connor, Sean McDonnell, Luke Corcoran, Paddy Dunleavy, Conor Dooley, Rob Leddy, Cillian Kirwan, John McGuire, Pearce Christie, Jack Lambert, Ronan Twomey, Fergal Ryan, Simon Lambert, Darragh Kenny, Barry McGuire, Luke Mulligan-Lynch, Luke McDwyer, Niall Ryan.

Thanks to John Kirwan for the photos

Click here for more