Go Ahead AHL 1

 BBSE 1 25 Naomh Barróg 0 08

As we did in February 2020 before the world changed, Ballyboden travelled to Pairc Barróg on the 27th February 2022 for the first AHL1 match of the year. A stiff coastal breeze, favouring the visitors in the first half, blew diagonally across the field as the referee threw the ball in.

Boden started brightly and although they gave up the first score to Barróg, began to assert themselves from that point onwards. A brace of Paul Ryan frees following good work from Kevin Desmond was matched by a long-range effort from Simon Lambert and a point from Niall McMorrow after he controlled the ball well under pressure. Any momentum the home side tried to generate was repelled by the half-back line in particular with David O’Connor his usual industrious self on the wing. Three further points from play from John Maguire, Lambert and Timmy Hammersley left the score on the quarter hour at Boden 8 points to 1 ahead.

Niall Ryan continued to run at the defence and in conjunction with Conor Dooley, drew a few frees that were converted neatly by Paul Ryan. A good delivery from defence just before the break was well-worked by Dooley and Niall Ryan and the final ball was deftly controlled by Niall McMorrow who took maximum advantage to register the game’s only goal. Half-time Boden 1-15 Naomh Barróg 0-3.

In the conditions, the game plan for the second half would need to change and so it was, with Boden management reorganising the team to face expected pressure from the home side. After an initial free, Barróg scored their first point form play.  However, Boden’s forwards continued to work as hard and this yielded results. Boden matched the home side score for score due significantly to the efforts of Dooley and well-taken scores from Hammersley and McMorrow. The introduction of subs by Boden was successful, particularly in the final quarter, when the hard-running by Conor McKeon and Matty Weldon was just what the visitors needed to maintain pressure on the Barróg defence.

All in all, a bright start to the league campaign and a fine win for the new management team led by David Curtin. Final score Boden 1-25 Naomh Barróg 0-8.

We look forward to the visit of Kilmacud Crokes in a couple of weeks. Boden abú.

Click here for photos from Miriam Doyle