Boden Claim Go-Ahead Ireland Intermediate All-County Football Title With Victory Over Na Fianna

Image courtesy Máirtín Ó Góibín

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 0-15

NA FIANNA 0-13

A free from Luke Byrne deep into injury time sealed a two-point victory for Ballyboden St Enda’s over Na Fianna in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Intermediate All County Football Championship decider at a sunny O’Toole Park on Sunday morning.

With the contest looking destined for extra-time as Na Fianna sought a deserved levelling score, the Glasnevin side conceded a contentious late free and the influential Byrne was on hand to fire over the insurance score.

It was Na Fianna that entered the break leading by 0-10 to 0-5 with Tom Callaghan impressing in their inside-forward line but the strength of the breeze in their favour initially meant their advantage was a precarious one.

So it proved after the break as Boden gradually got back on level terms and after moving three points clear with ten minutes remaining, they withstood some concerted late pressure to seal the title.

Despite playing against the elements in the opening-half, it was St Enda’s that made the more impressive start, dictating play for the large part as they took a merited lead through a 3rd minute point from Mark McGlynn.

While Callaghan levelled matters soon after, it wasn’t long before McGlynn kicked his second score as Ballyboden enjoyed a dominance around the middle third.

Parity was restored by Tristan Donnelly in the 8th minute but with McGlynn constantly probing, his side pushed two-points clear by the end of the first quarter through successive points by Byrne and Rob Cullen.

Na Fianna were in need of some inspiration at this stage and it duly arrived through a two-pointed score from Jack Burke before Callaghan edged them in front for the first time in the 18th minute.

The latter added two further scores as the contest evolved and while Byrne kicked an excellent point at the opposite end, a two-pointed free by Seán Smith in added time handed Na Fianna a five-point interval buffer.

Enda Cashman began to influence matters for St Enda’s after the break with his 36th minute point followed up by a crucial two-pointer three minutes later as Boden’s deficit was trimmed to two points.

They looked to have taken the lead when netting in the 42nd minute but they breached the ‘three-men back’ rule in the build-up, allowing Callaghan to convert the resultant free to kickstart Na Fianna’s second-half account.

However, a black card received by midfielder Cian Grew at the start of the final quarter was punished emphatically by Cashman, whose two-pointed free brought the sides level at 0-11 apiece.

Two Byrne points and another from Leon Murphy saw St Enda’s make the most of their numerical advantage but once their lead was established, they retreated further into their own defence.

This allowed Na Fianna to control possession and territory in the final minutes with substitute Ben Kane highly impressive as he kicked two smart points to leave the bare minimum between the teams.

A equalising score looked highly likely but some excellent Boden defending and Byrne’s precision at the opposite end sealed the deal for the Firhouse Road side.

Scorers – Ballyboden St Enda’s: L Byrne 0-6 (3f); E Cashman 0-5 (1 F2, 1 P2); M McGlynn 0-2; R Cullen, L Murphy 0-1 apiece. Na Fianna: T Callaghan 0-5 (2f); S Smith (F2), J Burke (P2), B Kane 0-2 each; C Grew, T Donnelly 0-1 apiece.

Ballyboden St Enda’s: C Murray; D Quinlivan, F Keating McDermott, R O’Halloran; D Gannon, O Carolan, E Gannon; H Colclough, R Cullen; E Cashman, M McGlynn, C O’Shea; P Curry, C Dunne, L Byrne. Subs: L Murphy for Cullen (37), J Meaney for Curry (45), S Keary for D Gannon (55), A Young for Dunne (61), D McCarthy for E Gannon (62).

Na Fianna: C McHugh; E Killarney, S Hayes, A Baxter; D Day, N Cooper, J Lacey; C Grew, S Smith; D Morley, J Burke, T Donnelly; D Fay, B Fox, T Callaghan. Subs: C Dolan for Donnelly (half-time), B Kane for Burke (45), H Caffrey for Lacey (50), P Smith for Day (52), J Foley for Fay (55).

Referee: Darren Lennon (Castleknock).