Senior football league semi final v St Judes in Páirc Uí Mhurchú on 18 November 2023
Ballyboden St Endas 2 – 11
St Judes 1 – 10
On the eve of this match, we learned that Colm Basquel won his first All Star, which was a big boost to the team before this important match. As league table toppers, Boden were rewarded with a home fixture. However, the first 15 minutes of the first half were dominated by St Judes who scored five points without reply. Eventually, the home side settled down and Daire Sweeney converted a free. Then, Paddy Dunleavy broke up a Judes attack and set up a move that he finished himself by setting up Harry Donaghy to fist the ball to the net. Daire Sweeney, from play, brought the sides level with a good point. The visitors were then awarded a penalty which they duly converted. Boden got a point back by Daire Sweeney before a 45 by Darragh Gogan was knocked out to the waiting Luke O’Donoghue who punched it to the net. Judes finished the half strongly with two late points to leave the half time score at 2 – 3 to 1 – 7 in favour of the visitors.
The early pressure was again applied by Judes who hit the cross bar and post after three minutes. A minute later, Donogh McCabe popped over a point with his left foot to bring the sides level. This was followed by two points each by Daire Sweeney (2 frees) and Ryan Basquel (1 free) to put Boden four points ahead with 15 minutes gone. Things could have been different if Judes had managed to convert their second penalty which was awarded after some poor defending by Boden led to a Judes player being fouled after 10 minutes. However, Darragh Gogan dived the correct way and made a good save. While Judes continued to put pressure on the Boden backline, scoring three points over the next 15 minutes, Boden responded each time to maintain the four-point lead at the end, with two points from Ryan Basquel (1 free) and Céin D’Arcy.
Next up will be the league final after Lucan and Kilmacud Crokes play each other in the other semi-final.
TEAM: Darragh Gogan; Leo McHugh; Shane Clayton; Cathal Flaherty; Harry Donaghy; Paddy Dunleavy; Alex Gavin; Céin D’Arcy; Donogh McCabe; Luke O’Donoghue; Ryan Basquel; Warren Egan; Daire Sweeney; Ryan O’Dwyer; Ross McGarry. SUBS USED: Mick McDonald; Evan Nugent; Darren O’Reilly
Thanks to John Kirwan for photos.