Adult League Division One Ballyboden St Endas v Na Fianna, Wednesday 10th May, Sancta Maria Prunty

Na Fianna arrived to Ballyboden last Wednesday night, a team that were expected to give our girls their toughest test in the league to date and early on that certainly was the case with very little between the teams. The early stages of the game was a fast moving affair with our Ladies squandering a number of gilt edge goal chances before eventually settling into their rhythm. The visitors opened the scoring with a fine point on 2 minutes. Hannah Hyland quickly equalised but it was her sister Natalia who was the main danger for Boden both from frees and play.so it was no surprise when it was Natalia who finished to the net midway through the first half which opened up a gap that ultimately was never closed to any worthwhile degree. Half time score: Ballyboden St.Endas 1.8 Na Fianna  1.1

A second half reaction was expected from the Northsiders but it didn’t really materialise as our defence as a unit was outstanding with a particular mention for full back Rachel Ruddy who seems to have rolled back the years with her displays of late. Goalkeeper Sarah O’Brien was as steady as a rock when called upon while Sadie Codd, making her senior football debut, looked as if she was well seasoned at this level. A goal midway through the second half expertly taken by Hannah Hyland, crashed the ball to the roof of the net after leaving the Na Fianna defence flat footed and in effect ended the game as a contest. With 10 minutes remaining the score line read 2.11 to 1.3 but in fairness to Na Fianna they finished strongly scoring 1.3 in that period which while not ideal from Ballyboden point of view was more a case of “taking their foot off the gas”. Hannah Byrne, Ashling Byrne, Shauna Feely, Megan Dignam, Caoimhe O’Sullivan and Katie Quinlivan all came off the bench to play their part in this excellent win which leaves our Senior A Ladies unbeaten after 5 games in the league. Final score: Ballyboden St Endas 2.12 Na Fianna 2.6

Scorers: Natalia Hyland 1.6, Hannah Hyland 1.1, Kate Donaghy 0.2, Claire Kirwan, Alanna McGarry & Hannah Murphy 0.1 each.

Next match: Tonight, Wednesday 17th May v Fingallians (away) 7.30pm Lawless Memorial Park.