BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 3-17 ST VINCENT’S 1-10
Ballyboden St Enda’s monopoly of the Evening Herald Dublin SHC ‘A’ continued at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon when they captured their fourth title in succession in impressive fashion.
Boden now face Kilkenny champions, O’Loughlin Gaels, in Nowlan Park on Sunday, November 14 after becoming the first Dublin club since Garda in the late 1920s to win four senior county championships in-a-row.
The Marino side never reproduce the fluency that saw them outclass Kilmacud Crokes in their semi-final and at no stage did they lead the game as Boden, despite the absence of Stephen Perkins (emigrated to Australia this week) and free-scoring forward, Paul Ryan (injured), held the upperhand for most of this clash.
Conor McCormack’s ninth minute goal was a vital early score for the reigning champions when the bustling wing-forward broke through the Vinnies defence and accelerated all the way to goal from 60 metres out before driving home his fifth goal of this year’s championship campaign.
However, Vincent’s recovered quite well but really only Stephen Loughlin of their starting forward line was making much impression from open play as he slotted three excellent points in the opening half.
The free-taking of David Curtin, who shot eight points in the first half (including six frees), helped to edge Boden further in front as the half progressed and by the break Liam Hogan’s side led 1-11 to 0-8.
Vincent’s were left to rue a couple of goal sightings in the half when Darragh Spain doing well to hook Damien Russell as he bore down on goal in the 23rd minute while two minutes late a point effort from Tomás McGrane came back off the upright but Russell could not get enough direction or power on his follow-up effort to beat Boden keeper and captain, Gary Maguire.
Four minutes into the second half Maguire had to be at his most alert to keep out and angled effort from Thomas Connolly as Vincent’s went in search of an early second half goal but three minutes later first half sub, Cathal Billings, fired over a sublime point from 55 metres.
Boden’s second goal arrived in the 40th minute when lively corner-forward Niall McMorrow rode a couple of tackles before clincially arrowing a drive to the far bottom corner of Thomas Carroll’s net. Simon Lambert immediately added a point and with Vincent’s still reeling Conal Keaney outpaced Declan Qualter before flicking the sliotar to the net along the ground to give Boden a 3-12 to 0-10 lead by the 41st minute.
Vincent’s needed a minor miracle. Thomas Connolly gave them some hope when he beat Maguire from close range but Maguire did well to keep out a Diarmuid Connolly effort in the 46th minute.
But there was to be no way back for Vincent’s as the likes of Malachy Travers and Shane Durkin continued to win possession and launch attacks from out the field as they cantered to their historic four in-a-row.
SCORERS – Ballyboden St Enda’s: D Curtin 0-9 (0-7f), N McMorrow, C Keaney 1-1, C McCormack 1-0, S Lambert 0-3, S Durkin, D Sweeney, J Doody 0-1 each. St Vincent’s: T Connolly 1-3 (0-2f), S Loughlin 0-3, D Connolly 0-2 (0-2f), T McGrane 0-1.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S – G Maguire; B Treacy, D Spain, M O’Sullivan; S Hiney, S Nolan, M Travers; D Curtin, S Durkin; C McCormack, S Lambert, D Sweeney; N McMorrow, C Keaney, J Doody. Subs: P Buckeridge for Treacy (52), D O’Connor for D Sweeney (54), T Sweeney for Lambert (58).
ST VINCENT’S – T Carroll; R Pocock, D Qualter, M Kirwan; R Trainor, R Fallon, W Lowry; C Fallon, D Connolly; P Fleury, K Connolly, S Loughlin; T McGrane, D Russell, T Connolly. Subs: C Billings for K Connolly (20), M Chawke for Fleury (45), I Fleming for C Fallon (50), N Bishop for McGrane (54).
REF – D O’Donovan (St Mark’s).
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