BODEN HAVE EDGE OVER VINS
Codd and Kenny in sparkling form as they see off gallant effort from Marino brigade
DUBLIN MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP ONE
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S………………………………4-14
ST VINCENT’S…………………………………………….2-16
Daire Walsh
THE central attacking axis of Malachy Codd and Darragh Kenny came up trumps at Pairc Ui Murchu on Sunday morning to give Ballyboden St Enda’s a convincing victory over St Vincent’s in the Dublin Minor ‘A’ Hurling Championship.
Between them, the deadly duo accounted for 1-10 of ‘Boden’s final tally – all of which came from open play. Cian Corcoran, Ryan Dwyer and Peter Gannon also bagged goals over the course of the hour as the hosts maintained their 100 per cent record in this year’s competition.
Vins fought admirably throughout and, thanks in no small part to late goals by Conor Kelly and Rory Finn, ended the contest just four points in arrears. This final quarter flourish was testament to their overall perseverance on the day.
The Marino outfit had entered this game on the back of consecutive victories at the expense of Cuala and Thomas Davis. ‘Boden had defeated the same two teams.
The southsiders got the perfect start, with both Codd and Kenny finding the target inside the opening 60 seconds. Vins quickly fired back through a Rory Neill free, only for Kenny and Codd to weave some more magic in attack.
Nevertheless, a determined Vins settled as the half wore on and gained a slender advantage courtesy of four points in quick succession. The influential O’Neill amassed three of these, while Sean Mulcahy also converted.
The visitors had served notice of their potential and it was up to ‘Boden to issue a response. To their credit this was exactly what they did – Rhys McDonnell (free), Codd and midfielder John Maguire raising white flags.
Traded scores between Conor Sheridan and Codd kept the scoreboard ticking over before Codd claimed his fifth point. Vins netminder Shane O’Leary appeared to have averted danger when he batted away Luke Mulligan-Lynch’s effort, but Kenny finished the rebound to the net.
This was a hammer blow for the Marino brigade, though a Finn point ensured the gap was reduced to five points (1-9 to 0-7) in time for the interval. On the resumption, ‘Boden introduced Dwyer in place of half-back Enda Cashman.
This led to a significant re-shuffle in their line-up, with inside forward Cillian Wall switching to defence and Dwyer taking up a spot on the 40. It added a fresh dimension to their attacking play and after Kenny clipped a well-worked point for ‘Boden, he played a big part in the new man recording a goal for his side.
Kenny’s ferocious strike was turned away, but the alert Dwyer was in the right place to sweep home from close range. This created considerable daylight between the teams and Vins needed a point from substitute Darrach McBride to help them settle again.
Although Liam McGovern was successful with a 65, McDonnell contributed frees either side of it. Once again, however, Vins discovered a consistent rhythm as the action developed.
McBride, O’Neill (two) and Kyle Ward all found the range to keep Vins within touching distance. Then O’Neill followed up Kenny’s score at the far end with another brace, but ‘Boden discovered an extra gear heading towards the home stretch.
Kenny released Corcoran with a quick ball inside and, at the second time of asking, he drilled home with much aplomb. Their fourth goal of the game then arrived on 57 minutes – substitute Gannon finishing at a tight-angle.
‘Boden continued to unload their bench in the closing moments, with Wall, Codd and Corcoran making way for Cian Hassett, David Monaghan and Darragh Sweeney respectively. In addition to McBride deputising for David O’Sullivan on the half-hour, Daire Parker and Kelly entered the fray as a double Vins replacement on 42 minutes.
There was no doubting the persistence of Vins as they continued to battle until the bitter end. Kelly squeezed home on the right-hand side and Finn’s speculative shot also raised a green flag deep into stoppage-time.
It wasn’t enough to deny Ballyboden in the end, but the Vincent’s players can take plenty of positives from this display as they move forward.
MATCH FILE
Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: D Kenny 1-4, M Codd 0-6, R McDonnell 0-3 (3f), C Corcoran, R Dwyer, P Gannon 1-0 each, J Maguire 0-1. St Vincent’s: R O’Neill 0-8 (7f), R Finn 1-1, C Kelly 1-0, D McBride 0-2, C O’Brien (’65’), L McGovern (’65’), K Ward, C Sheridan, S Mulcahy 0-1 each.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: J Lambert; L Mulligan-Lynch, Joe Maguire, H Donaghy; E Cashman, F Ryan, S O’Donnell; P Christie, John Maguire; C Corcoran, M Codd, E Behan; C Wall, D Kenny, R McDonnell.
Subs: R Dwyer for Cashman (h-t), P Gannon for McDonnell (45), C Hassett for Wall (56), D Monaghan for Codd (57), D Sweeney for Corcoran (60).
ST VINCENT’S: S O’Leary; M Rooney, A O’Connor, C Nolan; C O’Brien, M L’Estrange, C O’Neill; L McGovern, R Finn; D O’Sullivan, K Ward, P McCaw; C Sheridan, R O’Neill, S Mulcahy.
Subs: D McBride for O’Sullivan (h-t), D Parker for McCaw, C Kelly for Sheridan (both 42).
MENTORS – Ballyboden St Enda’s: Johnny Kenny, Brendan Ryan, Emmet Carroll, Tomas Riordan. St Vincent’s: Hugh O’Neill, Simon McBride.
Referee: David Murphy (St James Gaels).
WIDES – Ballyboden St Enda’s: 11 (6+5). St Vincent’s: 9 (5+4).
CONDITIONS: Dry and cloudy throughout.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Malachy Codd (Ballyboden St Enda’s).