Boden’s u-15B camogie girls opened their championship account in Clonshaugh against Craobh Ciaran on Sunday and the only pity is that the current pandemic meant that the crowd was limited, as the match proved to be an absolute exhibition by two fine teams.

Boden played in the first half with the aid of a gale force wind but struggled to take full advantage. The opening goal from Tara was quickly cancelled out, as was a second goal by Hannah Bury. Ciarans began to take control of the game early in the second quarter and went into a lead but we hung in there and finished the half with a peach of a long range point by Lily.

At half time we trailed by a goal and the omens were not good. With us having to face the elements in the second half damage limitation was the expectation but these girls did not read that script and continued to give as good as they got. The third quarter was even but after the final water break the Boden girls upped the performance and laid siege to the Ciarans goal. A couple of unfortunate wides followed but our girls were not discouraged and finally got the goal they richly deserved to leave the minimum between the sides. Then Tara got possession and slotted the equalising point.

The girls continued to press but just could not get the lead point. With the clock gone into the red Ciarans finally lifted the siege and got the ball into the Boden half. Our girls defended stoutly, but the referee then harshly penalised us for a push in front of our goal. The free was converted and the referee blew the final whistle on the puck out to leave us losing by the minimum margin.

Final score: Boden 4G 4P  Chiaráin 5G 2P

It was an unfortunate end but the spirited and skillful performance of this team will live long in the memory.

As well as those already mentioned, Rachel Byrne was brilliant at full back. Emma took the game to the opposition at every opportunity. Eimear Kirwan had the game of her life, while Millie and Liadan fought like their lives depended on it. But overall this was a team performance where everyone played their part to perfection.

Up next week-end is Finians and if the team give as good a performance as this nobody will have any complaints.