Boden clinch it at the death against Mary’s
A BRENDAN Kavanagh point at the death snatched the narrowest of victories for Ballyboden St Enda’s in their Minor Football League Division Three South clash with St Mary’s in Ballycullen on Sunday.
The lead changed hands on several occasions throughout the gruelling battle, and the game appeared destined for a draw when Mary’s reeled in a five-point deficit in the closing stages, but half-back Kavanagh held his nerve to clinch a dramatic win for Boden.
Ballyboden's Evan Cullen turns away from Sean Jameson
In hot, but breezy conditions, Ballyboden got off to an ideal start, as dangerous half-forward Daragh Cullen opted to take a short free that found its way to full forward Kevin Kirwan and he side-foot it into the net.
The visitors responded in perfect fashion, notching seven unanswered points through Jack Keane and powerhouse midfielder Kyle Butler, along with forwards Seán Jameson and James Timmins.
Impressive half-forward Adam Kelleher fired over a couple of good individual scores either side of a Daragh Cullen goal, as the wing forward raced down the left and slipped the ball into the corner.
Another three-pointer soon followed, as Kelleher’s pass across the face of goal was directed into the net by a towering Thomas Farrelly, before this score was backed up by a terrific double save by goalkeeper Niall Worthing-ton at the other end to deny Mary’s corner-forward Brandan O’Halloran from a penalty and rebound.
The game continued in a similar pattern after the break, as the Saggart side applied pressure, with scores from Keane, Jameson and Timmins, while Worthington also denied O’Halloran.
Long-range effort
Ballyboden held onto their advantage nonethe-less, as Daire Sweeney’s long-range effort dropped just under the bar.
Dillon Fetherston hit back for St Mary’s, before they went ahead when a Timmins free struck the post and fell to Jamie Farrell, who fed O’Hallor-an to finish into the net.
The lead did not last long as Enda’s fired over six points without reply, including three from Kelleher.
There was a frantic finish still to come, as Mary’s Jack Morris was fouled, allowing the outstanding Jame-son to convert the penalty before Fetherston carded a great solo score, only for Kavanagh’s last-minute intervention to secure the win for Boden.
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