Ballyboden St Endas overcome Kilmacud Crokes in the U21 F Hurling Final

Image courtesy John Kirwan

Ballyboden St Enda’s produced an impressive team display as they got the better of southside rivals Kilmacud Crokes by 1-16 to 1-7 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Under 21 ‘F’ Hurling Championship final at a breezy Páirc Uí Mhurchú on Saturday afternoon. 

The visitors played with the benefit of a strong breeze in the opening half but failed to fully avail of that advantage with the discipline and tightness of the Boden defence typified by the efforts of wing-back Cian Cosgrove. 

Crokes did manage to keep their scoreboard ticking over through the free-taking of Cathal O’Donnell but these proved isolated moments of encouragement for the away side. 

In contrast, Ballyboden were far more assured in their first touch as they held the upper hand through a number of Alan Delaney frees and they put further daylight between the teams as full-forward Leon Kennedy gathered well before turning and leaving Conor Hall helpless with a clinical finish to the net. 

Leading by 1-8 to 0-5 at the break, the hosts continued to impress with Sean Keary a hugely influential figure throughout and they pushed further clear courtesy of points by Darragh Delaney and Simon Norris. 

Oisín Byrne created both of those scores and he added a brace of points to the home tally as the contest evolved with Hall making a couple of fine saves to preserve his side’s slim chances. 

The likes of Jack Dillon and John Mullen continued to battle for Crokes in defence but six O’Donnell frees, a Tadhg Ó Cathasaigh point and Daithí Linehan’s consolation goal proved in vain by the final whistle.