The Ballyboden St Endas team met up at Breaffy House for a pre tournament meal and training session.
The boys had come not just direct from Dublin but from far and wide too. Some interrupted their time in The Gaeltacht, others taking time out of holidays both home and abroad.
On then into Castlebar and the Castlebar Mitchels ground. There they were warmly welcomed by our host club who had a lovely sign welcoming their visitors adorning the clubhouse.
Changed and motivated with a big crowd present, Ballyboden took to the field to play Ballina Stephenites.
Ballybodens Feile started like a dream as straight from the throw on Luke Grady scored a goal. John McGinn then added a point before Enda Cashman scored a fine goal.
At the other end of the field Adam Farrell made the first of many great saves to deny Ballina a goal.
John McGinn added another point before Luke Grady took a great pass from Adam Carrigan and buried the ball in the back of the net.
The excellent Ciarán O’Reilly then got a great goal to extend Bodens lead. Luke Grady added another point to his days tally and Conor Lowe got a wonderful goal to finish the half’s scoring.
Half Time Boden 5-03 Ballina 0-0
The second half began with a great point from Enda Cashman. Luke McDwyer added a point to Bodens tally before Ballina got their first score of the day.
McDwyer then added another goal before James Kinsella got Bodens final point of the match.
Final Score Ballyboden 6-6 Ballina 0-1
A delighted Boden team and supporters left the field for rest and rehydration. The boys had bananas and water whilst the supporters had slightly different fare.
Next up a match against New York who had also brought a large support.
Luke Grady started well again with an early point. After a few periods of pressure New York scored a goal. John McGinn then replied with point before New York added a point.
Ballyboden drew level with fine scores from Enda Cashman and John McGinn. As half time approached the very impressive New York team took the lead with a point, much to the delight of their travelling fans.
Half Time Boden 0-4 New York 1-2
The second half began and New York continued to press. Defenders Ruairi MacMahuna ,Jacques Dalton, Killian Kirwin, Daire Lynch, Kevin Desmond, Aidan Garvey and David Ward all performed admirably under the New York pressure. New York finally got past Adam Farrell and got a goal. They then added 2 quick points to extend their lead.
Boden fought hard but were now chasing goals. Mark Walsh , Evan Cullen and others came close but it was the talented transatlantic team that held on for the win.
Final Score Ballyboden 0-4 New York 2-4
The boys retired to the dressing room and the parents, brothers, sisters, grannys , granddads , friends and family retired to the clubhouse.
The teams were fed and it was then time to go with their host families. We waved our boys goodbye until we see them again in the morning when they take on our wonderful hosts Castlebar Mitchels and their Feile adventure continues.
Ballyboden panel : Jack O’Sullivan, Aidan Garvey, James Kinsella, David Ward, Dillon Dunleavey, Killian Kirwin, Ruairi MacMahuna, Evan Cullen, Ben Kelly , Jack Daly Kenny, Conor Lowe, Luke McDwyer, Conor Woods, Enda Cashman, Adam Carrigan, John McGinn, Mark Walsh, Luke Grady , Ciaran O’Reilly, Kevin Desmond, Jacques Dalton, Daire Lynch, Adam Farrell.
Mentors -Derek Ward , Sean McGinn, Collie Dunne, Shane Brooks
Physio -Carina Cashman
Report by Alan Kinsella