RAHENY SECURE DRAMATIC WIN OVER BALLYBODEN IN SHC ‘B’ GROUP
DUBLIN SENIOR HURLING ‘B’ CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP GROUP TWO
RAHENY: 2-15
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: 1-17
Sean Dempsey and Ger Coady came to the rescue of Raheny at Pairc Ui Murchu on Wednesday evening, as the northsiders claimed victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s in the most dramatic of circumstances in the Dublin Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship.
Following previous defeats to St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh and Whitehall Colmcille, Ballyboden needed a win to keep themselves in contention for a place in the knockout stages. They looked to set to secure the spoils when they led by three points (1-17 to 1-14) deep into second-half stoppage-time, but after Dempsey found the back of the ‘Boden net, a 65th-minute point from the hard-working Coady propelled Raheny towards their fourth consecutive triumph in this year’s competition.
With the unbeaten Whitehall not in action, Raheny knew that another success would move them to the top of the group. Indeed, despite conceding an early pointed free to ‘Boden half-forward Morgan Ryan, Raheny hit the front with the opening goal of the contest.
Eoghan Smyth formed a strong midfield partnership with Michael Grenham, and his long-distance delivery (with just under 60 seconds gone on the clock) floated all the way into the back of the opposition net.
This was an early set-back for the hosts, and they fell further behind following back-to-back Raheny scores by Dempsey and Smyth (free). Yet, it was expected that ‘Boden would eventually settle back into the game, and corner-forwards Aaron Coffey and Michael Boland both split the posts from their first opportunities at goal.
Centre-forward Austen Lynch was also eager to make an impact, and his powerful run in the seventh-minute provided the platform for a neat three-point finish by Finn McDonagh. This re-established Ballyboden’s slender advantage, and they remained in the ascendancy after Jack Lyons and Boland traded scores.
Midfielder Conor Kennedy also cancelled out another effort by Smyth, before Raheny enjoyed their first significant purple patch of the tie. Full-forward Matt Collins registered a well-taken score from play, and thanks to additional unanswered points from Smyth (two), Coady and Dempsey, Raheny were four points to the good at the end of the first-quarter.
Raheny’s shooting had been immaculate up to this stage in the game, but after their wide count started to stack up, ‘Boden sensed that they could cut into their deficit. The excellent Boland found the target from the left-wing, and a brace of successful Ryan frees also enhanced the home team’s tally.
Smyth (’65’) and Richie Judge had kept Raheny in pole position, but courtesy of terrific scores by Mike Clifford (from inside his own half) and Boland, ‘Boden ensured the teams were tied at 1-11 apiece during the interval.
In contrast to a relentless opening period, scores were much harder to come by after the restart. Raheny initially stayed on top with points from Smyth (free) and Collins, but following a 34th-minute Boland point – his sixth of the day – it was a full 11 minutes before the next alteration to the scoreboard.
With former Dublin footballer David Henry exerting his influence in the half-back line, Raheny were on top of possession for large spells in the third-quarter, but were struggling to convert the chances that came their way.
The ‘Boden defence were forced to hold firm under pressure, until the reliable Ryan restored parity 15 minutes from the end of normal time. Ryan found the range from the left-hand touchline, and this helped to build the confidence of the southside men.
A 0-2 salvo from centre-fielder Sean McDonnell moved them back in front, and with some fresh legs introduced from the bench, they were hoping to press home their advantage. Smyth ended a 21-minute barren spell for his side with a routine free, but they appeared to facing into their second reversal of the campaign when Donal Butler and Ryan raised white flags for ‘Boden in injury-time.
However, Raheny persisted with their challenge, and Ballyboden netminder Conor Maher was beaten by a speculative strike from Dempsey five minutes into time added on. This suddenly placed Brendan Ryan’s charges on edge, and after he gathered the ball from the subsequent puck-out, Coady held his nerve to fire Raheny to an incredible one-point win.
Scorers – Raheny: Eoghan Smyth 1-7 (0-3f, 0-1 ’65’), Sean Dempsey 1-2, Ger Coady, Matt Collins 0-2 each, Richie Judge, Jack Lyons 0-1 each. Ballyboden St Enda’s: Michael Boland 0-6, Morgan Ryan 0-5 (3f, 1 ’65′), Finn McDonagh 1-0, Sean McDonnell 0-2, Mike Clifford, Conor Kennedy, Aaron Coffey, Donal Butler 0-1 each.
RAHENY: Eamonn Curley; Eoin Gillen, Conor Henry, Darragh Keogh; David Henry, Greg Bennett, Richie Judge; Michael Grenham, Eoghan Smyth; Eoin Keogh, Sean Dempsey, Ger Coady; Aaron Kelly, Matt Collins, Jack Lyons. Subs: Darren Cooper for Lyons (42), Shane Bell for Kelly (43).
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: Conor Maher; Niall Keegan, Adam Jermyn, Cathal Bergin; Christopher Lambert, Naoise Maguire, Mike Clifford; Conor Kennedy, Sean McDonnell; Morgan Ryan, Austen Lynch, Ross Cullen; Aaron Coffey, Finn McDonagh, Michael Boland. Subs: Cian Hiney for McDonagh (45), Donal Butler for Lynch (51), Matty Weldon for McDonnell (53), Fergal Murray for Boland (64).
Referee: Donal Ryan (St Patrick’s, Palmerstown).
By Daire Walsh