Ballyboden St Endas 5 19   St Vincents 2 14

Long Fella reports from PUM

A brace of second-half goals from Boden’s Paul Ryan in the space of three minutes early in the second half paved the way for a high-scoring win over traditional North-side rivals St. Vincents in round 7 of AHL1. Conditions for this Tuesday contest were near perfect with a “three or four point” breeze running away from the setting sun to the west. Notable from the game was the appearance of Vinnies Conor Burke, fresh or otherwise from Pearse Stadium in Galway, and giving his best to his club for this annual contest. Another Dublin star, albeit now retired, who made his seasonal appearance on the home sod was Boden’s own Conal Keaney who appears to have lost little of his aerial ability and eye for the target.

With both sides unbeaten in the league, the contest opened in a flurry of activity with some manly hits as part of the menu. Vincents John Hetherton in his usual competitive fashion won a high ball in Boden territory, laid it off to Stephen McGarry, but his shot was superbly saved by net-minder Finn McGarry, now vying for the championship “start” with the “resting” Conor O’Donoghue. Down the other end Boden’s Conor Dooley did as John had done and found Timmy Hammersley who duly opened the scoring over the black-spot. Vincents Rory Finn replied quickly, but a repeat of the opening play from the same Boden forwards doubled the home tally. Tom Connolly evened the score-card with a pointed free for Vincents, and was followed by his goalman Dara Perry with a pointed free from outfield. The points came quickly with Hammersley on his third, and Boden’s Simon Lambert after (you’ve guessed it) Hammersley laid on the pass. Perry replied with a monster free, and inspired Sean Mulcahy and McGarry to bring the scoring to 4 to 6.

Ryan’s first contribution was from a brace of frees, and Boden led again after Timmy was found by corner back Luke Mulligan-Lynch. Two quick points from Connolly and Moore had Vinnies back in front before Dooley again found Hammersley for the opening goal, the Tipp-man now on a personal tally of 1.05. Boden’s Pearse Christie profited from some “unfurnished” defending from the visitors, but his effort was matched by Hetherton. Connolly and Mulcahy put his side into the lead with a point followed by a goal and after a competitive schmozzle Connolly and Ryan completed the opening-half scoring with the visitors leading by 1.11 to 1.10.

Hammersley continued where he had left off in the first half by winning a ball in space and finding Keaney for his game opener. Boden’s Kevin Desmond started winning some useful ball in his territory and created for Hammersley to put Boden in front. Ryan and Connolly shared a brace of frees which bought the game to the turning point. Lambert and Luke McDwyer went on the rampage towards the Vincents goal, but the latter was agriculturally stopped in his tracks. Ryan, with his reputation and the following wind to assist, buried the free low into Perry’s net to give his side some breathing space. Within a few minutes the former had bagged a second goal from twenty-five metres, a venomous wallop of the leather, he connecting with sweet-spot yet again. Connolly tapped a free over the bar to reduce the margin, but a well-connected series of passes with Boden’s John Maguire crucially involved, found Stephen O’Connor in space for one of the points of the eve.

St. Vincents went after three-pointers but they found McGarry well organised in his goals and blocking shots towards safety. Lambert bagged his second point of the evening and was quickly followed by Christie with a poached goal after uncertainty in the Vincents goal-mouth. Introduction for Boden Davy Keogh swept up a loose ball and bagged the final Boden goal of the game. Fittingly It was left to Keaney and Burke to show some Dublin touches with a Vincents goal and a brace of high catches from the Boden man, one of which he swung over his shoulder, the opportunity created in defence by Maguire and Corcoran.

McGarry was on his game in goals, as was O’Connor at full-back. The half line created a good crop of chances for the forwards, as did the men in the middle third. However, Ryan and Hammersley were the main threat over the hour, with Desmond working hard to open up the space. Keaney looked fresh in himself and still capable of the magic.

Finn McGarry, Rob Leddy, Stephen O’Connor, Luke Mulligan-Lynch, John Maguire, Luke Corcoran, Shane Durkin, Niall Ryan, Simon Lambert, Luke McDwyer, Paul Ryan, Conor Dooley, Kevin Desmond, Timmy Hammersley, Pearse Christie, Conor O’Donoghue, Paddy Dunleavy, Davy Keogh, David O’Connor, Eoin Behan, Conal Keaney, Hugh O’Sullivan, Fergal Ryan.