Boden gunning for glory after securing Leinster showpiece spot
By Hayden Moore
A RAPID-FIRE start from Ballyboden St Enda’s in the Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final saw them secure their spot in the competition’s showpiece for the second time in their history with a 3-14 to 0-12 win over Garrycastle in Cusack Park on Sunday.
Provincial champions in 2015, the Firhouse Road side will meet Eire Óg in the final on December 8 after the Carlow champions trumped 13-man Portlaoise in an upset that saw them run out 2-11 to 1-6 winners on Sunday.
That victory secured Eire Óg a spot in the Leinster decider for the first time since they last won it in 1998.
While they have a history of winning the Leinster, their opposition, St Enda’s, have developed a strong winning culture throughout their ranks having recently won it in 2016.
Much of the same players are still pivotal parts of the squad such as veterans Michael Darragh Macauley, Conal Keaney, Declan O’Mahoney and Darren O’Reilly.
But since then, a new brood has emerged in the likes of Ryan and Colm Basquel and Ross McGarry who have an ability to rack up massive hauls.
It was that trio who domin-ated the exchanges against Garrycastle last weekend with Dublin Under 20 corner-forward McGarry kicking three points from play.
The Basquel’s registered 1-6 while Robbie McDaid kickstarted their assault with an early goal before substitute James Holland copper-fastened the win with his side’s third goal.
Following the win, seven-time All-Ireland winner Michael Darragh Macauley paid tribute to Dermot Manley, a former teammate who tragically passed away a few weeks ago.
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