Boden lord Lucan

Alan Kinsella reports

There were no disappearing acts on the All Weather in Sancta Maria last Saturday morning as Ballyboden under 9 (Section 1) footballers stood up to the plate and beat their Lucan Sarsfields counterparts by a decent margin.

The sunshine of the previous few days hadn't quite arrived so with a slight chill in the air the teams arrived. With a decent number of boys available to each team, the Lucan Sarsfields and Ballyboden teams were split so that we'd have two matches to enjoy.

The team that lined up on the far end of the pitch had a line up of Eoin Ryan, Cian McCarthy, Kyle Heneghan, Matthew Nolan ,Matthew Fitzpatrick ,Jack Leech , Jack Daly, Maunus Coughlan, John McGinn and Daragh Gibson with coaches Mike Fitzpatrick and Sean McGinn orchestrating things from the sidelines.
 
Your reporter watched the other game at the other side of the field. Ballyboden, roared on by a vocal crowd of parents, siblings, two dogs, two hurlers and other wellwishers, lined out with the stylish Mark Walsh in goal , a very solid back line of the excellent James Dunne, growingly influential Conor Lowe and an ever reliable Niall Duffy.

In Midfield the wonderful trio of Ciaran O'Reilly, Ciaran McDonnell and Dara Ward. Up Front were the tireless threesome of James Kinsella, Ruairi Mac Mathuna and Mark Ryder. On the sideline coaches Gerry Duffy and Conleth O'Reilly worked tirelessly as they masterminded the impressive victory.
 
The ball was thrown in and after a number of Ballyboden attempts falling short or going wide, Mark Ryder put the ball over the bar to register Ballyboden's first score, more points followed with the again excellent Ciaran O'Reilly scoring two in quick succession.  Lucan were having trouble clearing the ball with the constant pressure from the Ballyboden forwards who tackled, blocked and harrassed well. Points were awarded for blocks by the busy pair of James Kinsella and James Dunne whilst in midfield the hard working Dara Ward also gained a point for a block.

Conor Lowe was unfortunate when a wonderful over the shoulder kick was waved just wide.
Improvements from their previous outings were visible as players often went for points when shooting for goals would have been easier. Teamwork too had improved as players often passed to better placed players rather than try speculative punts.

There were a number of fine examples of this throughout the game, including a wonderful point by the battling Rúairí Mac Mathúna when set up by James Kinsella.  After Rúairí's point, James Kinsella got his name on the scoresheet yet again with a fine shot over the bar from close in.

Mark Ryder then popped up and added to his tally with a good shot from the left. All the while the Ciarans O'Reilly and McDonnell were pouring forward from midfield with Ciaran O'reilly adding another two points to his tally.

When Lucan broke the Ballyboden defence coped well. Niall Duffy, James Dunne and Conor Lowe, aided by Dara Ward, snuffing out any danger. What did get through, Mark Walsh in goal dealt comfortably with. His Kickouts and clearances were excellent constantly picking out well positioned teammates.  Half time and Ballyboden were well ahead.

Second half an Ballyboden switched defenders to attack and Ciaran O'Reilly went in goal.  Lucan came back into the game and after some fine pressure scored a wonderful point. What was encouraging though in this period of Lucan dominance was the support play at the back. There was always someone there to take a pass, often relieving pressure as one of their teammates was surrounded.

Gradually though Ballyboden got back on top. Ciaran McDonnell scored the mornings opening goal, followed by a well crafted James Dunne point.  Then deservedly, Niall Duffy got his name on the scoresheet too when he scored a monster of a point.  The goals started to flow when Conor Lowe was rewarded for his earlier miss when he got a goal and a point in quick succession. Followed soon after by another Ciaran McDonnell goal and Mark Walsh scoring a goal also.

Late on Ciaran O'reilly came back outfield and in the few minutes remaining managed two more fine points to bring his tally for the day to 6.  Mark Walsh finished off the days scoring with a beautiful point from the right hand side.

The final score being Ballyboden 50 Lucan Sarsfields 6.

Mark Walsh (1-1) , James Kinsella (0-1 and a block), James Dunne (0-1 and a block) ,Ruairi Mac Mathuna (0-1), Dara Ward (block), Mark Ryder (0-2), Niall Duffy (0-1 and a block) , Ciaran McDonnell (2-0) , Conor Lowe (1-1),  Ciaran O'Reilly (0-6 and a block)

All the while the other game was a much closer and tenser affair which Ballyboden duly won by 38 points to 22.  Well Done to Both Ballyboden teams on a fine performance.