Back Row L to R : Ger Flaherty (mentor), Dara Hyland, Dean Doyle, Cathal Flaherty, Ryan Gillen, Conor Maher, Barry Higgins.
Front Row L to R : Neil Jordan, Sam Molony, Sean Keller, Stuart Warren, Dara Kilduff. Not in picture - James Roche & Jimmy Walsh (mentor).

Ballyboden St Endas U16 footballers played their final juvenile tournament in a windy O’Tooles’ grounds on Friday night last. This innovative 7-a-side tournament was originally organised to take place prior to Christmas but fell victim to the weather reports Joe Roche.

Played on a quarter pitch and with the scoring system of six points for a goal, three for a fisted point and one for a kicked point, the format rewarded quick movement and accuracy. First up for Boden was Scoil Uí Chonaill. The men in blue & white quickly adapted to the conditions and the fast-paced nature of the competition and raced into a half-time lead of 20-4, with six pointers from Neil Jordan & James Roche.

In the second half, Boden pressed home their advantage and with team management making the most of the interchange rule, ran out winners by 46 points to 10. A spectacular goal by Dara Hyland was a highlight of this half. Eight players were on the scoresheet at the final whistle.

Next up was Cuala. This match was a much closer affair, with very little between the teams all the way through. At half time it was 8-7 to Boden with a feature being a goal by Cathal Flaherty. In the second half, a penalty for each side proved difficult to covert with points scored from both. With shot-stopper Conor Maher in great form, Boden weathered the storm in more ways than one and eventually ran out winners on a score of 21-16. Having won this match, Boden were assured of a semi-final slot. We awaited the outcome of the group containing Crumlin, Kilmacud Crokes & host club O’Tooles.

O’Tooles topped the group, so we faced familiar opposition in the purple & gold. This was a tight tussle as expected and Boden made a bright start with Sam Molony netting early on and James Roche adding a three-pointer. However, Crokes fought back into the game with a six-pointer from a penalty and Boden knew they faced a battle in the second half against the gale. In what was probably their best 10-minute spell, Boden defended ferociously, led by Dean Doyle & Sean Keller and did not allow Crokes any room to shoot. A second goal by Molony and a three-pointer by Stuart Warren consolidated Boden’s position. Final score 25-7 to Boden.

On to the final and with O’Tooles emerging victorious against Cuala in the other semi-final, Boden faced the host club in the decider.

Boden had the wind in the first half and despite running low on interchange options due to a number of injuries, kept the scoreboard ticking over. A goal from O’Tooles warned of the potential threat. Yet, Boden responded with a couple of 3-pointers from Ryan Gillen & Sam Molony. The sides went in at half-time with Boden in front 19-8. O’Tooles attacked with vigour and had 3 points as well as 3 wides in their opening salvo. With Barry Higgins winning midfield exchanges Boden put more daylight between the teams to lead going in to the closing stages by 25 to 18. O’Tooles had to go for it at this stage and hit the net to leave the minimum in it. Yet again, Boden kept their cool and when Dara Kilduff popped over a three-pointer with normal time up it seemed enough for the blue & white. There was one final attack by the hosts however and with a powerful shot, scored what proved to be the winner on a scoreline of Boden 28 O’Tooles 30.