Countdown to Senior Final..
- Jul 26,2011
Countdown to Senior Final:
The countdown has begun to the 2011 TESCO senior championship final which this year will be contested by reigning champions Ballyboden St Endas and the 2009 champions Na Fianna.
Both come into the final unbeaten with both sides processing a vast collection of talented and experienced players.
Ballyboden St Endas since claiming their first senior title back in 2000 have dominated the Dublin senior grade over the last twelve years and have featured in the last eleven out of twelve finals. This impressive record has earned them a reputation as one of the top club sides not only within Dublin but beyond the County boundaries with the Firhouse crew going all the way in 2004 and 2005 when winning the Club All Ireland championship a feat that no other Dublin club has achieved.
Ballyboden St Endas are seen by people as a team in transition having lost influential players from the 2010 winning panel, players like 2010 All Star Rachel Ruddy, ex Dublin senior star Fiona Corcoran along with Caroline Conway, Orla Scollard, Karen Hopkins and Sorcha Farrelly are no longer available. Yet still here they are contesting another senior County final!
Ballyboden will be relying on key players such as Joanne O’Sullivan, Grainne O’Malley and Gemma Fay to carry the game to Na Fianna while two of the Dublin minor panel Elaine McGrath and Ciara Ruddy can also have a big influence in tomorrow night’s result.
Na Fianna have been impressive throughout their championship campaign with the Glasnevin club acquiring this season the services of Armagh and former Crossmaglen Rangers twins, Alma and Bronagh O’Donnell along with former Mayo captain and All Star Claire O’Hara these three additions alone has strengthened the Mobhi Roads outfit considerably.
The key to this game could be in the strength of each side’s panel and this is where Na Fianna seems to hold the trump card. Players like Nora Stapleton, Aoife Nolan and Leah Caffrey when introduced could have a big impact on the result.
Either way we should be in for an exciting contest and one not to be missed.
The Dublin U16 team play Emyvale of Monaghan in the curtain raiser in Parnell Park at 7pm so patrons are advised to come early and catch the young Dubs in action versus the likes of Ciara and Aoife McAnespie, Therese and Grainne McNally who are all key members of the Monaghan senior ladies panel.
TESCO Dublin Senior Championship Final:
Ballyboden St Endas v Na Fianna
8:30pm in Parnell Park
Inter County Challenge Match:
Dublin U16’s v Emyvale (Monaghan)
7pm also in Parnell Park.
Admission Fees:
Adult €5
Students / OAP’s €3
U16’s FREE
The senior final will be broadcast live on Dublin City FM radio with Mick Hanley and co commentary by Dublin senior boss, Tommy Brown.
Plus there will be live updates on Twitter.
ABOVE: Gemma Fay (BBSE) in action v Na Fianna, Senior SF 2010