ADULT HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP: JULY 21
ADULT HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP: JULY 21
By Daire Walsh
Defending champions Ballyboden St Enda’s booked their place in the Adult Hurling League Division One decider with a hard-earned victory against Kilmacud Crokes at Ballycullen last Wednesday evening.
‘Boden had entered this contest four points clear of their southside rivals – with just two regular season fixtures left to play. A superior scoring difference meant they already had one foot in the forthcoming final, but needed another positive result to officially confirm their status.
This was, of course, the first meeting between the two sides since their epic encounters in last year’s Dublin Senior Hurling Championship. ‘Boden secured the 2018 county honours at Crokes’ expense in a tension-filled replay, before eventually bowing out to eventual All-Ireland winners Ballyhale Shamrocks in last December’s Leinster showpiece.
They made amends for that defeat by overcoming the challenge of Na Fianna in a league final seven days later and appear hell-bent on claiming their third consecutive top-flight crown in 2019. The only points Joe Fortune’s side have dropped to date was in an entertaining clash with Cuala at Bray Emmet’s on May 13.
Since settling for a share of the spoils (1-16 apiece) in that showing, they have recorded six wins on the bounce. Many of the games in that sequence were close-run affairs and their midweek clash with Anthony Daly’s outfit was no different.
Thanks to the presence of James Madden, Simon Lambert and Shane Durkin in defence, ‘Boden created a platform that allowed their attack to prosper during the opening period. Paul Doherty was a lively presence throughout, while Luke McDwyer and James Roche also impressed for the hosts.
Conor McKeown was on target as ‘Boden finished the half with all six of their starting forwards on the scoresheet. Nonetheless, a resilient Crokes kept themselves in contention with some fine scores of their own.
Fergal Whitley’s industry ensured the ‘Boden rearguard was kept on their toes and former inter-county star Ryan O’Dwyer used all of his experience to guide the Stillorgan men through a potentially sticky period.
Fionn O Ceallaigh was a constant threat on the inside line but with Niall Ryan forcing a turnover prior to striking a shot over the posts, the league leaders were 0-11 to 0-8 in front at the break. Crokes ramped up the pressure on the restart with Whitley and O Ceallaigh points, only for ‘Boden to strike back in clinical fashion.
Latching onto a loose ball, Ryan fired spectacularly to the opposition net. The elusive attacker later added a point to his ever-growing personal tally and when McDwyer subsequently grabbed another score, ‘Boden moved into a commanding six-point buffer.
Crokes refused to throw in the towel and an O Ceallaigh major gave them fresh life heading towards the closing stages of the action. Ultimately though, ‘Boden held firm in the end with McDwyer and Ryan points helping them to register a 1-16 to 1-13 success.
Whilst Kilmacud are still in the running for the other final spot, they face stiff competition from Cuala. Courtesy of their 4-15 to 0-22 triumph over St Vincent’s at Bray on Sunday, Willie Maher’s men have moved to second in the league standings.
They are currently two points ahead of Crokes – who dethroned them in last year’s Championship – with a game still in hand. Should Cuala get the better of Ballinteer St John’s at Marley Park on August 10, it may well be enough to book another meeting with Ballyboden.
However, Ballinteer will be buoyed by their 1-15 to 0-15 win at the expense of Lucan Sarsfields in 12th Lock – which was their third in just four games. Thanks in part to Whitehall Colmcille’s victory against Na Fianna at St Mobhi Road, Lucan are now second-from-bottom in the top-tier.
They are set to host Crumlin on August 24, with both sides seeking a win to retain their Division One status. At Pearse Park on Friday night, Crumlin fell to a 1-22 to 1-11 defeat at the hands of St Jude’s.