Boden’s scoring surge secures MFC ‘A’ (2020) title

Ballyboden St Enda's were crowned Dublin minor 'A' football champions for the seventh time in their history with their 4-12 to 2-11 victory over Ballinteer St John's in Wednesday night's high-scoring Dublin MFC 'A' decider (2020) in Parnell Park.

A devastating scoring burst midway through the third-quarter saw Boden surge to victory over their fellow southsiders who were chasing a historic first success at this age and grade.

A 13th minute Oisín Grady goal helped Ballinteer St John's into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the first water stoppage but before the half-time interval Boden had edged in front.

Points from Luke Byrne, Ryan O'Dwyer and Darragh Sweeney as well as a goal from full-forward Byrne had Boden 1-8 to 1-7 ahead at half-time.

Ballinteer, however, restarted the second half on the front foot with Liam Fenton converting a free, a well judged effort from to the right of the goal.

He followed that up with a fine point from play when he side-stepped his marker before slotting over.

St John's hit their third point in succession when Matthew Lynch drove over a long-range score after Ben Millist had carried the ball out of defence to make it 1-10 to 1-8 by the 36th minute.

But the next 15 minutes, either side of the second-half water break, belonged to Ballyboden as they tallied 3-3 without reply.

Ryan O'Dwyer converted a free, David Keane curled over stylishly off his left boot before O'Dwyer found the corner of the St John's net to put his side 2-10 to 1-10 ahead in the 40th minute.

Matters got even better for Boden when David Keane made a great fetch before turning smartly and finding the net to open up a six-point lead by the water stoppage.

With Michael McDonald a strong presence around the middle sector for the Firhouse Road outfit Boden continued to pen Ballinteer into their own half off their kickouts.

A Luke Byrne free extended Boden's lead before they were awarded a penalty when Alex Gavin was fouled after reacting quickest to a loose ball rebounding off an upright from an unsuccessful point attempt.

Luke Byrne stepped up and slide his spot-kick to the corner of the net and suddenly Boden were 4-11 to 1-10 clear.

A brilliantly crafted and finished Oisín Brennan goal in the 55th minute gave Ballinteer late hopes of a comeback.

But Darragh Sweeney's converted free moved Boden eight points clear.

In added time Jack Lundy's rising shot on goal just cleared the crossbar for a point while Luke Breathnach had a late, late goal attempt saved by Boden keeper Eoin Dunne.

In the MFC 'B' final (2020) Templeogue Synge St defeated Fingal Ravens 3-13 to 1-16 after extra-time.

It marked a remarkable comeback by Synger as they had trailed 1-9 to 0-4 at half-time in normal time.

Indeed they were still six points in arrears at the second-half water break (1-12 to 1-6) but battled to the finish to force the game into extra-time (2-9 to 1-12 at full-time in normal time).