Boden beat Castletown-Liam Mellows to progress to Leinster Football semi-finals

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 2-16

CASTLETOWN-LIAM MELLOWS 0-13

Ballyboden St Enda’s progressed to the semi-finals of the AIB Leinster Club Senior Football Championship when overcoming Castletown-Liam Mellows by nine points at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday afternoon.

The sides entered the break at 0-7 to 1-4 with home goalkeeper Darragh Brooks converting a trio of two-pointed frees while Colm Basquel scored a crucial goal at the opposite end for Ballyboden.

The visitors assumed complete control upon the restart as they blitzed their opponents in the third quarter with Alex Gavin’s 42nd minute goal easing Boden into the last four.

Both teams enjoyed generous amount of possession in the early stages without overly threatening before Castletown midfielder Liam Coleman eventually opened the scoring in the 7th minute.

While Daire Sweeney levelled matters four minutes later from a placed ball, Ballyboden were struggling to make much of an impression in attack, albeit playing into the teeth of the breeze and a heavily-manned and well-organised home defence.

Brooks restored the Castletown lead with a two-pointed free in the 13th minute with the visitors finally opening their account from play through a smart Ross McGarry score at the start of the second quarter.

Another Brookes two-pointer pushed the hosts into a three-point lead in the 20th minute but the teams were back on level terms two minutes later as St Enda’s struck the game’s opening goal through a devastating counter-attack.

The origin was a superb turnover by Brian Bobbett on Coleman and a strong run down the middle by Ryan Basquel released his brother Colm for a composed finish past Brooks.

The netminder was seen to better effect in the 25th minute as he kicked his third two-pointed free with the lively McGarry’s third score four minutes later restoring the stalemate by half-time. 

Ballyboden wasted little time in taking advantage of the elements after the break as McGarry edged them in front in the opening minute before Colm Basquel kicked a sublime two-pointer in the 33rd minute.

The scores were coming far more freely now as Ryan O’Dwyer and Colm Basquel added to the away tally while Robbie Brooks and Coleman made the most of the limited chances that came Castletown’s way.

Ryan Basquel was revelling in the space afforded to him as he kicked a brace of points and the contest was effectively settled in the 42nd minute as Gavin palmed home from Patrick Dunleavy’s inviting pass.  

With Céin Darcy controlling midfield, the visitors took their foot off the gas in the final quarter but added insurance points through McGarry, Sweeney and Callum O’Dwyer to progress without further alarm.    

Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: C Basquel 1-4 (1 P2); R McGarry 0-5; D Sweeney 0-3 (1f); A Gavin 1-0; R Basquel 0-2; R O’Dwyer, C O’Dwyer 0-1 apiece. Castletown-Liam Mellows: D Brooks 0-8 (4 F2); L Coleman 0-2; R Brooks, D Holmes, B Halpin 0-1 apiece.

Ballyboden St Enda’s: H O’Sullivan; B Bobbett, C Flaherty, R Baynes; A Gavin, P Warren, P Healy; C Darcy, J Holland; R O’Dwyer, R Basquel, P Dunleavy; R McGarry, C Basquel, D Sweeney. Subs: D O’Reilly for Healy (51), K Kennedy for R Basquel (51), C O’Dwyer for Sweeney (56), M O’Gara for R O’Dwyer (58), D Keogh for C Basquel (58).

Castletown-Liam Mellows: D Brooks; S O’Hagan, J Ahern, R Cody; K Pierce, S Moloney, G Kelly; R Heffernan, L Coleman; J Higgins, C Carty, D Holmes; B Halpin, J Bealin, R Brooks. Subs: D Daly-O’Toole for Kelly (51), G McNulty for Holmes (51), J Gardiner for Heffernan (56).

Referee: Kevin Williamson (Offaly).