BRILLIANT BODEN STORM THE CASTLE
SECOND HALF GOAL PROVES TURNING POINT AS CASTLEKNOCK COUNT THE COST OF MISSED CHANCES
DUBLIN MFC QUARTER-FINAL
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 1-12
CASTLEKNOCK 2-5
Daire Walsh
BALLYBODEN St Enda’s delivered a strong second half performance to eventually overcome Castleknock in a gripping Dublin Minor ‘A’ Football Championship quarter-final clash at Pairc Ui Murchu on Sunday morning.
Trailing by two points at the midway stage in the contest, ‘Boden subsequently moved in front courtesy of a Ryan O’Dwyer goal on 38 minutes. This offered them a psychological edge and with Eoin Gannon leading their defensive effort from centre-back, the southsiders ultimately advanced to the last-four.
O’Dwyer and Luke Byrne were ‘Boden’s main men in attack, contributing a combined haul of 1-10. Dublin underage dual star Luke Swan capped a fine display at midfield for Castleknock with a 1-1 salvo while Matthew Lynam, Daniel Murphy and Conor Murray were others to impressive for the Somerton Park visitors.
However, despite their undoubted industry, a final wides tally of 11 ensured Gerry Kindlon’s charges came up short in the end.
Thanks to consecutive wins at the expense of St Sylvester’s, Ballymun Kickhams and Cuala, ‘Boden had secured top spot in Group Two. Castleknock did lose out to Ballinteer St John’s in Group One on July 29, but had comfortably defeated Na Fianna and Skerries Harps either side of it.
It was the hosts who enjoyed the better start to the exchanges as O’Dwyer and Byrne both found the target inside the opening five minutes. Castleknock were generating a host of scoring opportunities and finally registered their first score in the eighth minute.
Murphy dissected the uprights from close-range and following excellent approach play by Swan, the lively Murray added a point of his own. Castleknock were beginning to showcase their mettle and pounced for the maiden goal of the proceedings in the 12th minute.
After having his initial strike turned away by Eoin Donne, centre-forward Lynam fired clinically to the ‘Boden net. Indeed, ‘Knock’s chances of success further increased when Swan powered home just past the first-quarter mark.
The ensuing water break afforded ‘Boden an ideal opportunity to examine how best to counteract the growing threat of their opponents. Lynch (free) and Eoin Behan helped them to settle with unanswered points and while Murray curled an excellent point at the far end, ‘Boden enjoyed a strong purple patch in the closing minutes of the opening period.
In the space of just three minutes, the outstanding O’Dwyer kicked four points – including three from open play – to leave the minimum between the sides. A Swan free did give Castleknock a 2-4 to 0-8 advantage at the interval, but there was a sense that the ‘Boden challenge was starting to rise.
Byrne’s latest placed-ball effort brought the gap back down to one before Castleknock received a hammer blow eight minutes after the restart. A high shot into the breeze by Daniel Lynch looked set to tail wide, only to drop into the square at the final moment.
With Castleknock’s Cian Sheerin caught out of position, it was left for O’Dwyer to flick to the net and consequently propel his side into the ascendancy. Byrne added another pointed free on 41 minutes and having trailed by six midway through the opening half, ‘Boden were now three points to the good on the third-quarter mark.
The gauntlet was now thrown down to Castleknock and they did respond with a terrific Murphy point in the 49th minute. This set the game up for a thrilling finale, but it was ‘Boden who discovered an extra gear during the dying embers of the tie.
David Keogh and Byrne both raised white flags to give the home team significant breathing space. As anticipated, they came under sustained pressure as the final whistle beckoned.
Swan fired wide off a 21 metre free and Jordan Dargan-Akiwumi’s thunderous shot ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar.
Nevertheless, Ballyboden held firm to seal a hard-earned triumph.
MATCH FILE
Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: R O’Dwyer 1-5 (0-2f), L Byrne 0-5 (4f), E Behan, D Keogh 0-1 each. Castleknock: L Swan 1-1 (0-1f), M Lynam 1-0, D Murphy (1f), C Murray 0-2 each.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: E Donne; H O’Sullivan, H Donaghy, A Gavin; L Mulligan Lynch, E Gannon, J Maguire; H Colclough, D Kenny; E Behan, R O’Dwyer, D Lynch; D Keogh, C McGlynn, L Byrne.
Subs: D Sweeney for McGlynn (h-t), D Keane for Keogh (55).
CASTLEKNOCK: C Sheerin; M Bohan, A Watson, R O’Shea; B Harding, S Forker, C Flynn; F Gibbons, L Swan; J Dargan-Akiwumi, M Lynam, M Connellan; D Murphy, C Murray, R Cahill.
Subs: T Norton for Connellan (h-t), G Murphy O’Kane for Flynn (46), R Buckley for Lynam (54), E Walsh for Norton (56).
MENTORS – Ballyboden St Enda’s: Liam O’Dwyer, Jack Donaghy, Declan Maguire, Andy Kerins. Castleknock: Gerry Kindlon, Declan Hannigan, Mick Maron.
Referee: Darren Delaney (Wanderers).
WIDES – Ballyboden St Enda’s: 5 (1+4). Castleknock: 11 (5+6).
CONDITIONS: Dry conditions throughout with a slight breeze.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ryan O’Dwyer (Ballyboden St Enda’s).