Boden surge clear in second half to lift title
By Daire Walsh
BALLYBODEN St Enda’s produced a superb second half display at the Iveagh Grounds in Crumlin on Saturday afternoon to come away with the Dublin Camogie Under 15 Division One Championship crown.
At the midway point in their showpiece decider against Na Fianna, ‘Boden found themselves four points in front. This put them in a strong position, but what transpired on the resumption left no doubt as to who the best team on show was.
With the likes of captain Emma Moran, Charlie Murphy and Joy Ralph in fine form, the Firhouse Road girls scored an outstanding second period tally of 5-6 to eventually claim the spoils on a final scoreline of 7-8 to 2-6.
Given this game also doubled up as a Feile final, it was an extra special occasion for all those involved in this ‘Boden group.
Saturday’s match marked the second meeting between the sides in this year’s competition. In a Group Two clash last month, ‘Boden suffered a 2-9 to 2-7 home defeat at the hands of the Glasnevin side.
However, a previous win over Cuala and a draw with Kilmacud Crokes were enough to secure a spot in the knockout rounds for the southsiders.
Whereas Na Fianna edged out Faughs Celtic in the last-four on a scoreline of 4-9 to 5-3, ‘Boden enjoyed a low-scoring triumph of 0-7 to 0-4 win over Lucan Sarsfields.
This set up an intriguing renewal of acquaintances at the home of St James Gaels GAA and Ballyboden were intent on laying down an early mark.
After Moran opened the scoring with a fine point, Murphy added to their tally with an excellent goal. Na Fianna raised a green flag of their own and the tie remained delicately poised for much of the opening half.
Ruby Cummins and Rachel Moloney were standing out in defence, however, and with Moran providing strong leadership, ‘Boden were in a good place during the interval.
Although all known form suggested this game was going to go down to the wire, the eventual winners built up a head of steam and subsequently created a significant gap between themselves and Na Fianna.
In total, eight ‘Boden players got their names on the scoresheet to cap a memorable team performance. Moran was scorer-in-chief with a final tally of 1-5 (0-3 from frees), while Murphy bagged a brace of goals over the course of the action.
Ralph contributed 1-2 in an eye-catching display, supplementing a goal apiece from Rachel Lawlor, Kate Brosnan, Ella Hynes and Rachel Lawlor. Emma Fogarty also raised a white flag on a day when every Ballyboden player on show put their shoulder to the wheel.
Their victory is all the more impressive when you consider they were missing Karrie Rudden (vice-captain), Maya Wynne, Rachel Heavey and Sarah Furlong to long-term injuries.
And with this quartet back in the fold, Ballyboden are expected to make a big splash in 2022.