Result: 3-19 to 3-15

Senior football league v Lucan Sarsfields, Ballycullen, 22 May 2019.

Ballyboden St Endas 3 – 19

Lucan Sarsfields 3 – 15

In a lovely evening for football in Ballycullen, the result of this high scoring senior football league match remained in doubt until the final whistle. Lucan had a point on the board almost from the throw-in but points from David Hayes and Collie Basquel had the home side in front after just two minutes. The Lucan tactic of playing direct ball to their tall full forward paid rich dividends by the sixth minute as Lucan had the ball in the Boden net twice from breaking ball off the number 14 and Lucan also added a point to put them 2 – 2 to 2 points in front. A tactical switch of Shane Clayton to full back stemmed the flow of ball to the full forward. Warren Egan added a point for the home side but Lucan added two more points (1 free) before a 10 minute spell of Boden dominance put them one point ahead. Points by Ross McGarry, Ryan Basquel (2), Collie Basqquel, Donagh McCabe and an excellent goal by Collie Basquel rewarded this dominance. However, Lucan were not finished and for the remaining 8 minutes to half time they knocked over 7 points (3 frees) and while Ross McGarry again pointed for the home side, Lucan had a five-point lead of 1 – 9 to 2 – 11 at half time.

Boden showed their intent straight from the throw-in and dominated Lucan, allowing them only one point in the first 15 minutes of the half. First Collie Basquel and then Ryan with two points (1 free) brought Lucan’s lead back to two points. Warren Egan took on the Lucan defence on his own and finished to the back of the net. Bob Dwan, raiding from his corner back position, decided to pop the ball over the bar himself, rather than pass to one of his forward colleagues, before Collie Basquel gave the Lucan goal keeper no chance when finishing to the net. A minute later Ryan Basquel brought a great save from the Lucan keeper, who deflected over the bar and Darren O’Reilly and Sean Gibbons kept the Boden score board ticking over with good points.

This period of dominance for Boden was in no small part due to the introduction of Aran Waters who was cleaning up in the midfield area and driving forward. While, at this stage, with 15 minutes left, the home side had a commanding lead of 7 points, Lucan were not finished. They scored a point which was quickly cancelled out by Alan Flood and then after a lot of pressure on the Boden back line, Lucan were awarded a penalty. Mark McNamee made a brilliant save but the Lucan player followed up and finished to the net to leave just four points between the sides and they quickly reduced this to three with another point from play. With full time approaching, Ryan Basquel converted two frees and Lucan brought the scoring to an end with a converted free well into added time, to leave the home team with a well-deserved win.

Congratulations to two of our current minors, Malachy Codd and Paddy Dunleavy, who made their senior football debuts and both made their marks even though only on the field a short time. With his first possession, Malachy drove at the Lucan defence like a veteran and was awarded a free which Ryan Basquel converted and Paddy executed an excellent turn-over when Lucan were threatening for a late score. I’m sure these performances did not go unnoticed by some of our more senior players who, no doubt, will be looking over their shoulders as these emerging players will be making their presence felt in the no-too-distant future.

TEAM: Mark McNamee; Bob Dwan (0 – 1); Cathal Flaherty; Cian Murray; James Holland; Shane Clayton; Kieran Kennedy; David Hayes (0 – 1); Donagh McCabe (0 – 1); Darren O’Reilly (0 – 1); Collie Basquel (2 – 3); Sean Gibbons (0 – 1); Ross McGarry (0 – 2); Ryan Basquel (0 – 7); Warren Egan (1 – 1). SUBS USED: Aran Waters; Alan Flood (0 – 1); Tom Hayes; Malachy Codd; Paddy Dunleavy.