Ballyboden St Endas lined out against Lucan Sarsfields in the Dublin U21 Hurling Championship final in O’Toole Park on the 14th December 2014. Having had good wins against Kilmacud Crokes and St Vincents in earlier rounds, the supporters travelled in anticipation in this last championship of the year.
On a very heavy pitch, Boden played with the assistance of a strong breeze in the first half. Jamie Desmond, who had a fine game at centre-back, put over a long range free after a few minutes. The exchanges were close and with no run on the ball, most of the action took place in the middle third of the field. Paul Doherty put over Boden’s second of the day in the 12th minute followed by a fine Eoghan O’Neill point. Kenneth Wigglesworth and Niall Keegan repelled most Lucan attacks in the first quarter and the score on the quarter hour was 4 points to 2 to Boden. A similar pattern emerged for the rest of the half and try as they might, Boden’s forwards could not create enough chances to threaten the Lucan goal. A pair of Colm O’Neill frees brought the score at half-time to Boden 0-5 Lucan 0-4.
Boden started well in the second half with a fine point from out on the left by James Roche. Lucan then levelled and this is when Boden had their purple patch. A low ball from Roche on the sideline found Adam Jermyn on the run. The centre forward moved into position and fired a dipping shot over the Lucan keeper to the net. This gave the team a great lift and better was to come – Roche again got his hand on the ball and went for goal. Fearing a hook, he lifted the ball across the square where the in-rushing Jonathon O’Driscoll found the net after 13 minutes. Unfortunately for Boden, Lucan took control for most of the rest of the match and scoring chances were very limited. Level after 20 minutes, the west Dublin team closed out the match with some well-taken points. A late penalty and free offered some hope but it was not to be. Final scoreline – Boden 2-6 Lucan Sarsfields 0-17. Well done to the lads for a great effort in difficult conditions and thanks for the entertaining hurling produced over the past couple of months.
Team photo : Back row left to right – Evan Flanagan; Conor Dooley; Gavin Corrigan; Jamie Desmond; Dónal Butler; Jonathon O’Driscoll; Keith Robinson; Tom Hanafin; Keith McCarron; Adam Jermyn; Conor McHugh; James Madden; Kenneth Wigglesworth.
Front row left to right – Colm O’Neill; Conor Robinson; Paul Doherty; Niall Keegan; Eoghan O’Neill; Eoin McKenna; Naoise Greene; James Roche; Chris Lambert.