Ballyboden senior hurlers denied in Championship decider
By Daire Walsh
THERE was disappointment for Ballyboden St Enda’s in the Dublin Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship decider at Parnell Park this afternoon as they lost out 2-20 to 1-18 to Cuala.
Despite finding themselves in the ascendancy for large spells, Joe Fortune’s side suffered a five-point reversal at the hands of the defending champions.
Although they were rocked by the concession of a goal from Cuala attacker Sean Moran, ‘Boden were 0-8 to 1-4 in front on the first-quarter mark.
Indeed, after Paul Ryan had a penalty turned away by opposition netminder Sean Brennan in the 25th minute, the evergreen Conal Keaney was on hand to sweep home the rebound.
This helped the southsiders to establish a 1-13 to 1-9 interval lead, but with a slight wind at their backs on the resumption, Cuala were expected to step up their challenge.
Thanks to the dead-ball accuracy of David Treacy, the holders were a single point adrift (2-15 to 1-16) moving into the closing 10 minutes of action.
And the Dalkey outfit subsequently hit the front when Moran clinically dispatched a penalty to the net.
Even though Ballyboden battled to the bitter end, Cuala ultimately claimed their fourth senior county title in the space of five years.