BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 3-17 O’TOOLE’S 1-11
Paul Ryan’s deadball accuracy paved the way for a comfortable Ballyboden victory in Sunday’s Evening Herald Dublin SHC ‘A’ semi-final at Parnell Park.
Ryan scored 2-8, 1-7 coming from deadball, as Boden progressed to the county final against St Vincent’s as they attempt to capture the crown for the fourth year in-a-row.
The opening exchanges were tight with little freeflowing hurling to get exciting about but a Conor McCormack goal in the 27th minute saw Boden open up a 1-6 to 0-3 lead.
Paul Ryan and David Sweeney combined before Ryan played McCormack through on goal, his original effort was well saved by Brendan McLoughlin but the rebound broke for the Boden wing-forward to apply the finishing touch.
However, just before the interval a well-taken Andrew Morris goal gave the Larriers hope for the second half as they trailed 1-8 to 1-4.
Six minutes into the second half Ryan’s first goal direct from a 20-metre free pushed his side 2-9 to 1-5 clear and they never looked in trouble thereafter with Conal Keaney clipping over three fine second half scores to add to one in the first.
The O’Toole’s forward line did not function to their best as the likes of Malachy Travers, Marty O’Sullivan and Stephen Hiney dealt capably with anything that came their way as the game petered out as a contest before the finish.
SCORERS – Ballyboden St Enda’s: P Ryan 2-8 (1-6f, 0-1 ‘65’), C Keaney 0-4, C McCormack 1-0, J Doody 0-2, S Durkin, D Sweeney, D O’Connor 0-1 each. O’Toole’s: K Flynn 0-5 (0-2f), A Morris 1-2 (0-2f), L Ryan, D Webster, G Morris, D Farrelly 0-1 each.
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