Last Saturday morning Ballyboden Under 9 (Section 1) footballers travelled to Dalkey to play their
Cuala counterparts at a busy, chilly, windy Thomastown.  First question to their Cuala counterparts was how did they get on in Celibrity Bainisteoir?  Sworn to secrecy they were, not a peep, not even a hint.

In a thrilling finish Ballyboden held on to gain a six point aggregrate win to continue their unbeaten run.
With all the boys arriving in Thomastown in good time they had a little kick around before doing a warm up
 and some drills. As ever the numbers ensured that there would be two games. So the Ballyboden boys were split into two teams. The team yor reporter covered lined out as follows.

The reliable Dara Ward in goal,the lively trio of Enda Cashman, Ciaran O'Reilly and Jack Daly at the back,
A tough midfield of Eoin Ryan and James Kinsella whilst up front were the attacking threesome of Daragh Gibson, Ciaran McDonnell and Conor Lowe. The not so Celebrity Bainisteoirs running the line were Mike Fitzpatrick and Conleth O'Reilly.

The other Ballyboden team lined out with the following players Niall Duffy, Cian McCarthy,Manus Coughlan, Mark Ryder, Matthew Nolan,Mark Walsh, John McGinn, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ruairi Mac Mathuna with Gerry Duffy and Sean McGinn running the show from the line.

Ballyboden had their usual good travelling support with parents, grandparents, Flat Anne, cousins, brothers, sisters, and other wellwishers cheering the boys on. The referee threw in the ball and the game was on. Playing with the gale in the first half Cuala had a few shots blown off course and also hit he crossbar. It was Ballyboden though that opened the scoring when the marauding Ciaran McDonnell scored a fine goal which he quickly followed up with another. Ballybodens went further into the lead when a point was awarded for a block by the fearless Eoin Ryan.

Cuala hit back and took the lead with a brace of points and a goal. The Ballyboden Defence got on top with
Enda Cashman Jack Daly and Ciaran O'Reilly all battling hard and clearing well. The excellent Eoin Ryan cut the deficit when he landed a lovely point before Ciaran McDonnell put Ballyboden back into the lead with his third score of the day. Dara Ward swapped with James Kinsella in goal and was Dara was soon on the scoresheet with an excellent free.

James Kinsella showing some great anticipation made a fine save before Ciaran O'Reilly got the halfs last score for a typically tenacious block. Half time and Ballyboden were 13 points to 7 ahead.

In the other game Ballyboden were trailing despite having played with the wind. So it was going to be a tight affair overall.  Two switches were made with Enda Cashman and Ciaran O'Reilly being replaced by the Cian McCarthy and Manus Coughlan. Second half and playing with the wind Ballyboden got off to a great start with Eoin Ryan scoring a nice goal. Cuala though got a goal and a point in quick succession and the gap was closed to just 3 points.

Ballyboden stormed forward but too often there were shots instead of passes and plenty of chances went a begging.  Conor Lowe having been busy all day, was fouled well out the field. He stepped up and took the free which cleared the defence and bounced over the bar for a point.

Word from the other game was that they were losing, so any scores in both matches were increasingly valuable.  The wonderful Jack Daly  popped up to score a vital point before the tireless Daragh Gibson scored with a block.  Ballyboden were holding out well with Cian McCarthy, Conor Lowe, Dara Ward and Manus Coughlan among the stars of the show as they defended like lions all over the field.

As the clock ticked down Cuala scored another point to narrow the margin again. With almost the last kick of the game the ever alert James Kinsella caught a kickout and launched a mighty shot that crept under the bar for a goal. It was the last score of the game.

The referee blew up and that Ballyboden team were 22 points to 11 winners.

They congratulated their teammates and shook hands with the gallant Cuala boys. The other game was still on though.  With an 11 point advantage from the first game, this Ballyboden team were behind with Cuala on constant attack.  For the final minutes cheered on by their teammates there was some heroic defending of constant Cuala attacks, some fine scores by both sides and great excitement.

The ref blew up, the Ballyboden boys invaded the pitch, the referee announced that Cuala had won by 28 points to 23.  The boys cheered and hugged as it meant Ballyboden had won by 45 points to 39 overall!
Ballyboden: Dara Ward (0-1), Enda Cashman, Ciaran O'Reilly (block), Eoin Ryan (1-1 and a block), Jack Daly (0-1),  James Kinsella (1-0),Daragh Gibson (block), Conor Lowe (0-1), Ciaran McDonnell( 2-1)