Kevins Minor Hurling Tournament 2011 - Report by Joe Roche

Good Friday saw Ballyboden Minor B hurling team travel to Dolphins Barn to participate in the Dermot Byrne Cup as part of the annual Kevins tournament. The team were drawn in Group 1 with St Judes and Lucan Sarsfields. Group 2 contained hosts Kevins along with St Peregrines and Round Tower.

Captain Conor McHugh receiving the cup from the sisters of Dermot Byrne in whose honour the trophy is named

The Boden lads had some experience of this format – 11-a side, 10-minute halves, 2 points for placed ball scores – from their experience in the U16 tournament in Carlow in 2010. It is vital to get off to a good start in these matches and Boden were quick out of the traps in their first match against Lucan. Two Chris Lambert goals as well as a further 3-pointer from Ben McEntee gave Boden a 3-4 to 0-4 lead at the break. As the lads took on water at half time, the challenge from Lucan was anticipated. The West Dublin team had a better second half, but with Jonathon O’Driscoll slotting over three fees, Boden won out on a scoreline of 3-10 to 0-9.

Celebrations

Boden then had a break while Lucan and St Judes played out a close match, with Lucan edging it.

Next up for Boden were our near neighbours from Tymon Park. Once again, the quick start proved vital with Evan Flanagan netting from the corner forward position. Boden led at the break by 1-5 to 0-2, a feature of the half being excellent tidying up by half back & captain Conor McHugh. The Judes fightback was swift and they led going into the closing minutes having netted twice to edge in front by a point. However, great defending by Conor Bolger led to a clearance upfield. Conor Maher got his hand to the ball and rounded his marker to finish with style to the net. Final score Boden 2-6 St Judes 2-5.

The benefit of topping the Group was that Boden now had a break while the quarter finals were played out. This was important in the beautiful, sunny conditions on the day. Kevins also topped their Group and both awaited the quarter finals between St Judes & Round Towers and St Peregrines & Sarsfields.

The outcome meant Boden faced St Judes in the semi-final. Both teams knew what to expect from each other at this stage so a close battle was expected. Once again, Boden got off to a flyer with goals by Conor Maher & Chris Lambert.  This match also featured some great defending by fullback Ronan McGee and Bolger with Eoin McKenna playing a key role in the middle.  Boden had the upper hand at halftime following a second Maher goal and led by 3-6 to 0-5. St Judes did not lie down and had their best spell of both encounters in the minutes that followed half time. They netted twice and with a couple of well driven frees drew level going into the closing stages. Composure is important when chances present themselves and up stepped Fionn Maguire to put Boden in front once again. Jono fired over a final two-pointer and Boden won out on a scoreline of 3-10 to 2-10.

It was déjà vu all over again as the result in the other semi-final meant the blue & white faced Lucan in the final. Lucan started brightly and fired over three unanswered points from play. Boden were steadied by a brace of O’Driscoll frees and when the same player goaled, it set the match up nicely as the teams went in at the interval all square 1-7 to 0-10. A key role in the first half was played by corner back Andrew Hughes. In addition to winning four Lucan puckouts, he swept up behind the half back line and cleared the lines on a number of occasions. Lucan edged ahead to lead by 4 points midway through the second half. A feature of these tournaments also is the ability rotate players in when required and Eoin Giles and Morgan Ryan did sterling work when introduced in this match. As the match headed for the final whistle, a point by McKenna and an O’Driscoll free left the minimum in it. A free for Lucan had them three ahead and as the crowd checked their watches, up stepped O’Driscoll again and fired to the net. As the referee blew the whistle, both sides were applauded for their great efforts.

Five minutes each half of extra time was required. A key moment in this half was a magnificent save by Keith Robinson, which helped to keep Sarsfields at bay. To top this, when a long range opportunity presented itself Robinson showed his great striking ability to fire over a free from 65m. A beautiful sideline cut from O’Driscoll (his second of the day) meant Boden had a four-point cushion at the break. Although Lucan fought back, tireless running by Ben McEntee and a final free from O’Driscoll meant Boden won the final on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-19.

It was a great victory and given the close nature of all the matches, a very enjoyable day all round. Well done to Ray, John & Eugene for preparing team and to the parents who travelled in support. Thanks to Kevins for organising a great tournament and for the Byrne family in whose honour the cup is named.