Ballyboden St Endas 3-11 v Round Tower 0-12, Ballycullen, 27th October
Round Tower Minor Hurlers 2013 season culminated Sunday morning at a wet and windy Ballyboden St Enda’s as the old adage ‘goals win matches’ was brought to bear in this Minor C Hurling Championship, writes Mick McGlynn.
Three goals conceded against a strong wind in the first half left Towers an insurmountable task in the second 30 minutes but they fought valiantly to overcome the elements and a constant cushion for a strong home side. With 15 minutes remaining, considerable pressure was brought to bear upon the ‘Boden defence but Towers were unable to force the sliothar home due to the resilience of the home side’s rear guard and a crowded defence.
Playing against a strong wind, Boden got off to an excellent start when they netted for their opening score and Towers pulled level through three points from Dublin Minor Gary Quinlivan before we ceded another goal. Quinlivan pointed another three points in the opening half but Boden had the upper hand arising from the goals. Shane Boland pointed twice before half-time: the first when Dean Graham did well to win under pressure at corner back and he found midfielder Micheál Walsh in support, whose crossfield pass found Quinlivan and he released the onrushing Boland to point from the half-forwards. Boland reacted when a Quinlivan free dropped in and around the square and he created space to turn sharply and point. However a ‘Boden effort edged over the goalline and this afforded the home side a half-time cushion as they led by five, 3-4 v 0-8.
Boden pushed to build upon their advantage early in the second half and blocks by Eric Murphy and Aaron Wynne prevented them edging ahead before Walsh broke in midfield and was pulled back. Quinlivan’s free into the strong wind was tipped wide for a 65 and after drying the hurl in heavy rain, he pointed the subsequent effort. There were four between the sides with 23 minutes remaining when Wynne won possession in half-backs and Walsh’s long ball was smartly picked by up Quinlivan on the 21 to point. With Towers in the ascendancy a goal would have left the match finely balanced and Walsh almost supplied it after Fergus Connolly and Quinlivan set him up but his effort was deflected wide. But two ‘Boden frees put them further ahead 3-8 v 0-10. With 15 minutes remaining Towers pushed again for a goal with Luke Peden, Walsh and Quinlivan having efforts blocked. The final quarter was characterised by a crowded ‘Boden defence blocking Towers runs and strikes at goal. When the ball did break Walsh pointed when he created space on the 21 and Quinlivan pointed a 65. In between Wayne Brennan was resolute in full back and with keeper Davey McCarthy beaten Eric Murphy’s outstretched hurl denied the home side a fourth goal.
The remaining minutes continued to be characterised by Towers pressure and Quinlivan was denied twice from 21 metre frees and Boland pulled low and with force but his effort was deflected narrowly wide. Frustratingly the goal did not materialise and Boden’s first half cushion enabled them move to the semi-final. Towers heads could have dropped having conceded three goals in the first half but they were resilient against a talented ‘Boden side and a goal might have given our lads the required edge to advance their campaign. Well done to the team and the mentors for their outstanding efforts throughout 2013.
Round Tower: Davey McCarthy, Adam Clarke, Wayne Brennan, Dean Graham, Michael Burns, Eric Murphy, Aaron Wynne, Micheál Walsh, Shane Boland, Gary Quinlivan, Fergus Connolly, Ciaran Brennan, Adam Doyle, Rory Keogh, Gavin Quinn: Used subs Darren Gilligan, Luke Peden, Aaron Whelan
