The weather conditions were not going to make it an easy match as we were only short of a few ducks for the small pond forming in the center of the pitch.
BBSE elected to take the the shallow end and as the whistle blew St Patricks won the breaking ball and their shot was wide. A lovely kick out saw Boden work the ball effortlessly to the Pats 21 yd line where we took the opening point and this was followed by another point closely afterwards. On the 12 minute, a simple and well worked four pass move resulted in Boden’s first goal 1-2 to 0-0. Then St Pats began to find a rymthm scoring two points and from our kick off drilled home a goal to level the game in the 22nd minute. The Donadate team’s work rate at closing down our kick outs paid well as they went in with a commanding lead at half time: St Pats 2-9 to Boden 1-2 .
After a half time talk from their coaches Martin O Hare, Martin O Donnell and Paddy Brosnan Boden started the second half with purpose and focus. Boden began to play some of their best football, with the help of Leon, Scott and John as incoming subs, even though the conditions were deteriorating fast.
Boden were containing St Pats and out playing them even though they are 3rd in the table, in a division higher than our lads. Boden were winning the second half 2-3 to 1-1 much to the annoyance of St Pats who had at one stage managed to get more yellows and reds (4 Y & 1 R) than they had scored points wise in 25 mins in the second half.
At the final whistle St Patrick’s won 5-12 to BBSE 3-6.
St Patrick’s played some great football on the day but Boden were much closer than the final score would reflect.
Well done to all the lads and coaches for a mammoth effort in such diabolical conditions. The shield awaits!
Photos by Cliona Mellett and Dan Culleton. For more photos, see here