Ballyboden claim dramatic comeback Semi-Final win over Cuala

Image Courtesy Matthew Lysaght

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 3-21

CUALA 2-22​

Cuala’s title defence was ended in dramatic fashion at Parnell Park yesterday afternoon as they succumbed to Ballyboden St Enda’s by two points in their thrilling Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship semi-final. 

The holders looked well set for victory as they led by seven points by the 55th minute but two goals from the excellent Daire Sweeney, the second in added time, saw Boden time their comeback to perfection.  

The All-Ireland champions delivered a hugely impressive and efficient display into the breeze in the opening half with Conor O’Brien’s 10th minute goal and four points from play by Niall O’Callaghan building a deserved 1-14 to 0-11 lead by the interval. 

Colm Basquel and Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne exchanged goals in the third quarter and Sweeney’s predatory nature was enough to get a battling Boden over the line by the final whistle.  

The Dalkey outfit took little time in settling into the clash as a 2nd minute point from Niall O’Callaghan was soon followed by a Charlie McMorrow score after his initial attempt had struck the upright. 

While Ryan Basquel levelled matters with a wind-assisted two-pointed effort in the 5thminute, Ballyboden were playing second fiddle in the early jousts as Cuala restored their two-point lead through points from David O’Dowd and Cillian Dunne. 

Further points arrived through Con O’Callaghan and Niall O’Callaghan before the former seized on Hugh O’Sullivan’s misplaced restart, and his pinpoint fisted pass allowed O’Brien sufficient time to hammer the ball into the corner of the net. 

Facing a seven-point arrears, St Enda’s were in need of some inspiration as they slowly but surely gained a foothold at midfield, as reflected in a James Madden point and Ryan O’Dwyer’s two-pointer. 

Their comeback gained further momentum as a Daire Sweeney brace and a Colm Basquel saw them to within a point of Cuala by the 18th minute. 

However, Cuala began to reaffirm their control as their wing-backs O’Dowd and Eoin Kennedy joined the attack to telling effect and a two-pointed free by Con O’Callaghan stretched their lead back to five points by the 25th minute. 

Ross McGarry and Colm Basquel replied for Ballyboden but late points from Niall O’Callaghan and Kennedy left them facing a six-point deficit at half-time.

St Enda’s impressed upon the restart through two points apiece from Sweeney and McGarry but Cuala continued to keep them at arm’s length as Con O’Callaghan landed a trio of scores at the opposite end. 

Colm Basquel appeared to have offered his side fresh hope as he put the finishing touches to a well-worked move to leave just three points separating the teams by the 40th minute. 

Any momentum that goal might have generated was lost in the blink of an eye as Peadar Ó Cofaigh’s scruffy attempt did just enough to get over the line with Con O’Callaghan crashing home the rebound for added security. 

Cuala looked to be easing their way home as they enhanced their lead through points from Kennedy, Cal Doran and Niall O’Callaghan but Sweeney kept the Boden tally ticking over with two fisted scores at the opposite end. 

A cracking goal from Sweeney that left Darragh O’Dowd clutching at air reduced Cuala’s buffer to four points and that margin was shortened even further as McGarry and Calum O’Dwyer split the uprights. 

The contest deserved a thrilling conclusion and it duly arrived as O’Dwyer jinked through to leave Sweeney well placed to crash home from close range and end Cuala’s run as All-Ireland champions in the process. 

Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: D Sweeney 2-8 (0-4f); C Basquel 1-1; R McGarry 0-4; R O’Dwyer 0-3 (1 P2); R Basquel (P2), C O’Dwyer (P2) 0-2 each, J Madden 0-1. Cuala: C O’Callaghan 0-7 (1 F2; 1f, 1 ’45); N O’Callaghan 0-6; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, C O’Brien 1-0 each; E Kennedy 0-3; David O’Dowd 0-2; C McMorrow, C Dunne, C Doran, C Mulally 0-1 apiece.

Ballyboden St Enda’s: H O’Sullivan; B Bobbett, C Flaherty, S Clayton; A Gavin, H Donaghy, P Healy; C Darcy, J Holland; R O’Dwyer, R McGarry, J Madden; R Basquel, C Basquel, D Sweeney. Subs: P Warren for Donaghy (half-time), J McGuire for R Basquel (34), K Kennedy for Healy (44), C O’Dwyer for R O’Dwyer (53), D O’Reilly for Sweeney (63).

Cuala: Darragh O’Dowd; D Conroy, M Fitzsimons, E O’Callaghan; E Kennedy, C McMorrow, David O’Dowd; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, P Duffy; C Dunne, C Doran, O Hussey; N O’Callaghan, C O’Callaghan, C O’Brien. Subs: C Groarke for Hussey (half-time), C Mulally for O’Brien (44), L Fitzgerald for Ó Cofaigh Byrne (52), M Conroy for D Conroy (63). 

Referee: Ian Howley (O’Dwyer’s).