BODEN DUO SEAL DEAL
Kennedy and Madden combine magnificently to see Saints to trophy success
DUBLIN U16HC ‘A’ FINAL
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S………………………………………….. 4-11
CUALA………………………………………………………………….. 0-10
Daire Walsh
SHANE Kennedy and James Madden produced strong performances at O’Toole Park on Saturday afternoon when their combined tally of 3-8 helped Ballyboden St Enda’s to secure the Dublin U16 Hurling ‘A’ Championship title at the expense of southside rivals Cuala.
The attacking duo were a constant threat throughout the course of the action, and although the final scoreline doesn’t offer a true reflection of how the game developed, the superior firepower of ‘Boden (who are coached by former Dublin hurler David Curtin) was a key factor in their success.
STIFF
Cuala were facing into a stiff breeze during the opening period, but despite conceding an early score to centre-forward Kennedy (free), the Dalkey men responded with three points in succession from Eoin Kennedy, Rory McMahon and Jack Twomey.
With space at a premium, ‘Boden were finding it difficult to settle into their usual rhythm. However, they re-established their one-point lead in the 11th minute, when Madden fired past Cuala netminder Cormac Spain after Ben Kelly had hit the woodwork.
This was a set-back for Cuala, and with the elements working against them, Cormac Quinn and Mark Tracy were wide of the mark from a series of long-range frees.
‘Boden goalie Conor O’Donoghue made no mistake from a placed-ball attempt inside his own half on 21 minutes, and although Eoin Kennedy registered his second score of the game, Cuala’s Pairc Ui Murchu counterparts added six unanswered points in eight minutes – from Kennedy (three), the increasingly-prominent Madden (two) and Daniel Nugent – to bring a 1-8 to 0-4 cushion into the interval period.
With wind at their disposal, Cuala were certainly not out of contention when the action resumed, but they suffered a hammer blow to their prospects just five minutes in the second half. In the direct aftermath of his introduction, Kevin Desmond broke the ball down to Kelly, who found the back of the Cuala net in some style from an awkward position.
It was beginning to look ominous for Cuala, but even though Liam Murphy and Desmond proceeded to swap scores, some wayward shooting by ‘Boden meant that they couldn’t extend their lead during the third-quarter.
COURTESY
Indeed, courtesy of three points with reply from Murphy (two) and Tom McGee (a monstrous effort from half-way), Cuala were offered a glimmer of hope during the closing stages of the tie.
The fresh legs of Stephen O’Mahony and Rory Sheanon provided them with an extra dimension, and when Diarmuid O Floinn displayed great persistence to cancel out a Madden score, Cuala were showing no signs of letting their heads drop.
Yet, ‘Boden were firmly in the ascendancy, and after splitting the posts from the left-wing four minutes from time, Kennedy placed the outcome beyond any doubt when he dispatched an unstoppable shot past the helpless Spain.
This offered breathing space to ‘Boden, and when the outstanding Madden added a fourth goal deep into stoppage-time, they brought the curtain down on a memorable day in the Crumlin venue.
MATCH FILE
Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: J Madden 2-3, S Kennedy 1-5 (0-3f), B Kelly 1-0, C O’Donoghue (f), D Nugent, K Desmond. Cuala: L Murphy 0-3 (2f), J Twomey (2f), E Kennedy 0-2 each, T McGee, D O Floinn, R McMahon.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: C O’Donoghue; A O’Neill, C Creed, M Normile; C Cashman, T Glynn, K Lalor; S Lally, R Donohue; D O’Riordan, S Kennedy, J Madden; B Kelly, D Nugent, R McCormack.
SUBS: K Desmond for O’Riordan (34), C Fallon for McCormack (40), K Reddy for Cashman (50), J Dooney for Kelly (56), M McNamee for Donohue (60).
CUALA: C Spain; G O’Brien, T McGee, P O’Cofaigh-Byrne; E Potts, C Quinn, M Johnson; D O Floinn, M Tracy; E Kennedy, P Byrne, L Murphy; R McMahon, K Kirwan, J Twomey.
SUBS: S O’Mahony for Byrne (51), R Sheanon fo Kennedy (53), P Jackson for McMahon (61), T Sheridan for Johnson (61).
MENTORS – BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: D Curtin, T O’Donoghue, J Lalor, P Kelly. CUALA: G Byrne, M Kirwan, S McMahon.
REFEREE: John Higgins (Na Fianna).
WIDES – Ballyboden St Enda’s: 6 (1+5). Cuala: 15 (7+8).
CONDITIONS: Mild and dry, but with a strong breeze at times.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: James Madden (Ballyboden St Enda’s).