Ballyboden square up to champs in county decider

AHEAD of his fifth appearance in a county championship decider this weekend, Ballyboden St Enda’s manager Kenny Naughton has heaped praise on ‘huge leader’ Michael Darragh Macauley for the impact he continues to have on his troops.

Back in 2009 – before going on to win eight All-Ireland senior titles with the all-conquering Dublin senior footballers – Macauley lined up alongside Naughton on a ‘Boden side that secured the SFC crown in the capital with a showpiece success at the expense of neighbours St Jude’s.

He went on to claim additional Dublin championship honours in 2015 and 2019, while he also featured in a decider defeat to Ballymun Kickhams in 2020.

For good measure, Macauley also has a brace of Leinster club titles to his name and an All-Ireland club medal from St Patrick’s Day in 2016.

Although he is now 37 years of age, he remains a key figure within the current Ballyboden set-up and is set to play a huge role in their Dublin Senior One Football Championship showpiece meeting with defending champions Kilmacud Crokes at Parnell Park on Sunday (throw-in 4pm).

“He brings a lot to it, Mick.

Galway man Cein D’Arcy is another key player for Ballyboden St Enda’s

“He’s a huge leader and he’s massively experienced as well. Even from a management point of view, he’s a great guy to be able to bounce things off.

“He’s a really good communicator and he keeps himself in unbelievable shape.

“He’s fitter now than he was three or four years ago.

“He’s amazing really, an amazing player,” Naughton said of Macauley.

After registering three consecutive wins over Ballymun Kickhams, Ballinteer St John’s and Templeogue Synge Street at the group stages of the competition, ‘Boden subsequently progressed past Castleknock and the aforementioned Jude’s in the knockout rounds in clinical style.

Yet they are expected to come into their showdown with Kilmacud on Sunday as underdogs.

In addition to winning a brace of county and provincial titles within the past two years, Crokes are also the reigning All-Ireland senior club champions having edged out Derry outfit Glen at Croke Park in January of this year.

They also contested the national decider in 2022 and were on their way to victory until Down club Kilcoo pounced for a goal in the final moments of extra-time at GAA HQ.

“They’ve probably been the best team in the country over the last two years. They were very close to beating Kilcoo without Paul Mannion and Shane Walsh that day [2022].

“They’ll be coming with everyone now on Sunday, so it’s a massive challenge for us,” Naughton said.

While Mannion and Walsh – All Star footballers for Dublin and Galway respectively – will provide plenty of firepower for Crokes, ‘Boden have their own attacking ace in the form of Colm Basquel.

Part of the All-Ireland winning side in 2016, Basquel returned to the club scene this year on the back of contributing 5-18 over the course of Dublin’s successful championship odyssey in 2023.

“He has always shown that with us over the years, but I think this year with Dublin, fair play to Dessie Farrell and the management.

“They showed a lot of confidence in him.

“He played in every game and I think he rewarded their confidence with the performances he showed for Dublin.

“He was a huge player for them this year and it was great to see him doing that on the biggest stage.

“We were delighted for him to do that.”

Whereas Kilmacud completed a senior football and hurling championship double in 2022, Ballyboden will have a shot at doing so this year.

In Parnell Park last Sunday, ‘Boden’s small ball side came through a tense battle with St Vincent’s to book their spot in the Dublin Senior One Hurling Championship final alongside Na Fianna.

With the football end of the club also thriving in recent months, Naughton acknowledged there is a major buzz around the club at the moment.

“David Curtin [Ballyboden hurling manager] and the lads there have done a great job.

“It’s exciting to be back in two finals.

“There’s a good buzz around the club, because our intermediate [football] team are in a final on Saturday as well against Na Fianna.

“The Junior ‘A’ team are in a semi-final and our minor team are in a semi-final as well.

“The football end of the club is going well this year and it’s good to see it.”

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