Ballyboden St Endas 1-4 V Foxrock/Cabinteeley 4-14 Division 1 Mi
In what looked from the final scoreline to be a somewhat one-sided affair at Pairc Uí Mhurchú on Monday night last, the first round of this year’s Dublin minor division 1 league kicked off under torrid conditions.It was a renewal of old rivalries between home side Ballyboden St.Enda’s and Foxrock-Cabinteely and promised to be one of the most thrilling of the ties in this league.Both teams started the match with great intensity and for the first 15 minutes action was end-to-end. Boden were unlucky not to convert some scoring opportunities,their forwards being marshalled well by the experienced Foxcab full-back line of Kirstie McArdle, Olivia Gleeson and Fionnuala Hogan. This dominance was further enforced by the ever-reliable Blainaid Callan and Niamh Collins on the wings. At the other end, it was the clever build-up play from Foxcab involving fast, interlinking passing that took its toll on the Boden defence. However, it was the 2 goals that came in quick succession with an edge of the square screamer from Alex Whyte and a superbly taken slot home from the main sharpshooter and newly installed captain Amy Ring that opened the floodgates for the Foxcab forwards.All credit to Boden who worked tirelessly to reduce the deficit in the second half. Bringing on centre forward Natalia Hyland,it was her they looked to for inspiration and the Dublin star duly responded with a rasping shot that troubled Sinead Murphy but the Foxcab number one was equal to it pushing it onto the post; just one of a number of fine stops from the keeper.Incisive running from midfielder Sinead Goldrick tormented the Boden defence and industrious performances from Amy Connolly and Ciara O’Riordan ensured the forward line of Petra Kealy, Hayley Whyte and Rachel Crotty had a constant supply of quality ball that they duly converted well.With the game nearing its end, Hyland continued to make penetrating runs through the heart of the Foxcab defensive line and had it not been for the expert defending skills of Sarah Brophy the final outcome could have been a whole lot closer.Foxrock continued to grow in confidence thanks to some key interceptions in defence-most notably coming from Olivia Crossan 10 minutes from the end when Ballboden’s centre forward was through on goal.All in all, both teams played some inspired football and no doubt their next meeting will be a tighter encounter.Foxrock/Cabinteely now look to build on this impressive start with their first home fixture of the year next Monday night against North side outfit, Castleknock (Kick-off: 7.30pm Monday 14th April, Cornelscourt)