FLASH FLOOD OF GOALS
Clinical Carroll raises four green flags as ‘Boden outrun Castleknock
DUBLIN AHL DIVISION 3
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S……………………..5-9
CASTLEKNOCK………………………………….0-9
Daire Walsh
EMMETT Carroll produced a masterclass at Sancta Maria College on Saturday evening to help Ballyboden St Enda’s preserve their 100 per cent record in Division Three of the Adult Hurling League.
Despite being short a number of first-team regulars for their latest home assignment against Castleknock, former Dublin senior hurler Carroll ensured that Brendan Moran’s side secured their sixth consecutive success of 2018.
Unbeaten in their opening four fixtures of the season (three wins and one draw), Castleknock were looking to bounce back from last month’s heavy defeat to Round Tower Clondalkin.
They played with the aid of a strong breeze during the opening half of the contest and broke the deadlock when Conal Purcell dissected the posts on the left-wing. Boden responded with a routine Morgan Ryan free, before midfielder Luke Whelan edged Castleknock back in front at the opposite end.
The early exchanges proved to be rather cagey, with clear-cut opportunities initially coming at a premium. However, after his long-range set-piece restored parity once again, Ryan turned provider for the maiden goal of the action.
Under intense pressure from the Castleknock defence, he squeezed the ball out towards attacking partner ‘Flash’ Carroll. Though he found himself at an awkward right-hand angle, the dynamic inside forward fired to the far corner of the net beyond the reach of helpless netminder Brian Lawlor.
This offered the hosts some breathing space, and their three-point cushion remained intact as a result of traded scores between Whelan (free) and Conor Kennedy. Darragh Madden and Purcell kept Castleknock in the frame, but they received another sucker punch on 19 minutes.
When Shane Kennedy cut inside off the left flank, he looked set to register ‘Boden’s fourth point of the game. Yet, at the final moment, his speculative shot floated into the back of the Castleknock goal.
While another Ryan free supplemented this latest major, the visitors looked set to end the period in fine spirits with white flag contributions from the excellent Purcell, Whelan and centre-forward Kieran Duggan.There was enough time for a final ‘Boden attack in stoppage-time, though, which ultimately produced a second goal for the elusive Carroll.
RUTHLESS
His ruthless finish, via James Enright’s superb cross-field pass, gave the southsiders a five-point buffer (3-4 to 0-8) at the break. They were now on course to extend their winning streak in the third-tier, ahead of an away clash against Clontarf on July 11.
Mattie O’Sullivan was introduced by ‘Boden on the resumption, and he found the target either side of a Shane Kennedy strike. Indeed, following Ryan’s 42nd-minute pointed free, they increased their advantage to nine points.
Although St Enda’s clocked up a number of second half wides, Castleknock struggled to develop an attacking rhythm playing against the wind. Whelan’s goal-bound free was turned away by the ‘Boden rearguard, and with just nine minutes left, they finally added to their account through corner-forward Andy Lonergan.
‘Boden remained in control, however, and Carroll subsequently secured his hat-trick with a brilliant individual effort. Ryan brought his tally to five points with a successful ’65’, but it seemed fitting that the outstanding Carroll had the final say in the Ballyroan venue.
When goalkeeper Keith Robinson drove a long delivery into the far square, he pulled home to leave a clinical Ballyboden with all of 15 points to spare in the end.
MATCH FILE
Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: E Carroll 4-0, M Ryan 0-5 (4f, 1 ’65’), S Kennedy 1-1, M O’Sullivan 0-2, C Kennedy 0-1. Castleknock: L Whelan (3f), C Purcell 0-3 each, K Duggan, A Lonergan, D Madden 0-1 each.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: K Robinson; M McGovern, A Jermyn, C Bergin; F Murray, C Lambert, K Reddy; F Maguire, S Feeney; M Ryan, C Kennedy, S Kennedy; M Weldon, J Enright, E Carroll.
Sub: M O’Sullivan for Feeney (h-t).
CASTLEKNOCK: B Lawlor; S Coffey, T Kelleher, J King; C Prunty, C O Dulaing, J O’Callaghan; L Whelan, R Conway; L Quinn, K Duggan, C Purcell; A Lonergan, D Madden, N O’Callaghan.
Subs: D Browne for Conway (34-38, blood), Browne for N O’Callaghan (42), C Kelly for O Dulaing (50).
MENTORS – Ballyboden St Enda’s: Brendan Moran, Cathal Ryan, Brian O’Shaughnessy, Gerry Corcoran. Castleknock: Damien Whelan, James Donoghue, Colm Murray, Eddie Grange.
Referee: Kevin Foran (Thomas Davis).
WIDES – Ballyboden St Enda’s: 17 (8+9). Castleknock: 10 (6+4).
CONDITIONS: Dry and bright, albeit with a strong breeze throughout.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Emmett Carroll (Ballyboden St Enda’s).