Ballyboden Advances to AIB Leinster Club SFC Final

Ballyboden St. Enda’s showcased an impressive performance in the AIB Leinster Club SFC Semi-Final, overpowering Tullamore with a score of 2-19 to 0-10. The match took place at Glenisk O’Connor Park, where Ballyboden’s dominance was evident from the first half.

Ballyboden’s Strong Start

Tullamore initially took the lead with points from Niall Furlong and Harry Plunkett. However, Ballyboden quickly responded with a well-executed attack. Colm Basquel assisted Ross McGarry, who found the net to put Ballyboden ahead. This goal marked the turning point in the match.

Dominance in Play

Ryan O’Dwyer showcased his skill, contributing four points from various angles. Ballyboden’s defense, led by Ryan Baynes, created turnovers and limited Tullamore’s scoring opportunities. The Dublin champions controlled the game, leading 2-12 to 0-4 at halftime.

Tullamore’s Struggle

The loss of Tullamore’s key player, John Furlong, due to injury in the 17th minute heavily impacted their performance. Despite a solid effort from Niall Furlong and Cillian Bourke, Tullamore struggled to close the gap. They managed several scoring chances, but a lack of precision hindered their efforts.

Second Half Highlights

In the second half, Tullamore attempted to chip away at Ballyboden’s lead. However, their opportunities dwindled, and they failed to convert crucial chances into goals. Ballyboden eventually regained control, scoring back-to-back points from Daire Sweeney as they secured their victory. The final score confirmed Ballyboden as serious contenders for future honors in both Leinster and All-Ireland championships.

Scorers and Team Line-ups

Here are the key scorers from both teams:

• Ballyboden St. Enda’s:
  • Daire Sweeney: 0-9 (1 penalty, 0-3 frees)
  • Ryan O’Dwyer: 0-5
  • Ross McGarry: 1-1
  • Colm Basquel: 1-0 (penalty)
  • Ryan Basquel: 0-3 (0-1 free)
  • Céin Darcy: 0-1
• Tullamore:
  • Harry Plunkett: 0-5 (frees)
  • Niall Furlong: 0-2
  • Cillian Bourke: 0-2
  • Luke Plunkett: 0-1

With this victory, Ballyboden St. Enda’s moves on to the AIB Leinster Club SFC Final, solidifying their status as a formidable team in the province.