Ryan points way as Boden defeat Craobh in SHC

Tue, 17th April 2018

Ballyboden St Enda's got their Dublin SHC 'A' Group 3 campaign off to a winning start when they came with a storming finish to defeat Craobh Chiaráin 1-19 to 2-7 in Parnell Park on Tuesday night.

Craobh bolted into a 2-16 to 0-10 lead 13 minutes into the second half when Kevin Warren fired to the Boden net past Gary Maguire following a long free into the danger zone from Alan McCrabbe,

However, Chiaráins only scored another point over the conclusion of this encounter, a Warren point from play in the 52nd minute, as Ballyboden hit 1-9 during the same period to join Cuala at the top of the group.

Craobh face back-to-back All-Ireland club champions, Cuala, on Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park (4.0) while Boden meet St Brigid's on Sunday morning in O'Toole Park (11.0).

Ballyboden St Enda's goal came two minutes into injury-time from Conor McCormack with top-scorer Paul Ryan, who finished with a tally of 0-12 (6f, 1 '65'), hitting five points, three from play in his side's scoring surge down the home straight.

Finn McGarry, Conal Keaney, who scored 0-3 from play on the night, Simon Lamber and David O'Connor were Boden's other scorers during this late scoring spree.

The opening half was an evenly balanced affair with the sides entering the break on level terms, 0-7 to 1-4, with Craobh's goal coming in the last minute of the half from Cian Derwin, a Dublin minor hurler from last summer who captured the Leinster MHC title.

Derwin had also opened the scoring in a half that was dominated by the deadball accuracy of Craobh's McCrabbe and Boden's Ryan.

Former Dublin senior and All-Star converted two first half frees as well as a '65', which came about following a fine Maguire save to deny Derwin.

Ryan put away four frees for Boden as well as two from play to put his side 0-7 to 0-4 clear before Chiaráin's goal just before the break.

DUBLIN SHC 'A': THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

Thursday, April 19

SHC 'A' Group 1: Raheny v O'Toole's (Parnell Park, 8.15)

SHC 'A' Group 2: Naomh Fionnbarra v Na Fianna (Parnell Park, 6.45)

Friday, April 20

SHC 'A' Group 2: Kilmacud Crokes v Whitehall Colmcille (O'Toole Park, 6.45)

Saturday, April 21

SHC 'A' Group 1: St Vincent's v St Jude's (Parnell Park, 5.45)

SHC 'A' Group 3: Craobh Chiaráin v Cuala (Parnell Park, 4.0)