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U15 Hurlers crowned Dublin Champions - Mon, 23 May 2005

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St Brigid's 5-7 Ballyboden 0-14 - Under 15 A Championship Final

And so it came to pass, these two teams, neck and neck since they first met at under 11 level came face to face in the blue riband Championship final in Dublin hurling. Last year it was Boden who claimed the crown this year Brigid's were determined to make amends. Both teams lined out with their first choice team and both had clearly prepared well so there would be no excuses offered, a dry sod, a solid referee and the scene was set for an epic final.

Ballyboden opened the scoring and soon went into a 0-3 to 0 ? 0 lead until Philip "fizzie" Carroll got the first point for Brigid?s. Conor Woodgate had an excellent sideline point disallowed but continued to mark a variety of opponents all of who he kept scoreless to the end. Gavin McIntyre who was to go on to win man of the match followed with a 2nd before Boden scored again and Gavin McIntyre replied with Brigid's third and final score of the first half. Two late points for Boden one from a free and one a 70 saw them go into the break 0-7 to 0 ? 3 ahead.

Any outside observer would say that Boden were by far the better side in the first half. They struck the woodwork twice and could easily have had the game sewn up at half time. Brigid's were slow to start but yet they came out for the 2nd half confident they could claw their way back into the game.

That was the plan at least but faith and Ballyboden had a different plan. With less than 5 minutes gone in the 2nd half Boden had scored 3 more points to stretch their lead to 7 points and the writing seemed to be on the wall for Brigid's. The tension was unbearable and one felt that the next score was crucial.

This Winters and Plunkett coached team is made of strong stuff however, they had previously come from behind to beat both Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes on their way to this final and even though the vultures were circling overhead no one had bothered to tell the forward line of Philip Carroll, Brendan Roche, Gavin McIntyre and Niall Myron who battled on fearlessly. Cathal Doyle was introduced early in the 2nd half and made an immediate impact tying up the Boden half forward line.

And then a point from Daire Plunkett started the Brigid's comeback, A sharpshooters goal from Philip Carroll gave it fuel. Minutes later, a 2nd goal from Philip Carroll inspired the whole team and from there on any doubts the team may have harboured disappeared. They fought like demons and were rewarded with 2 more goals from Philip Carroll bringing his total for the day to 4 goals which must surely be some sort of record. Boden fought back bravely scoring a brace of points but in all truth the game was over by now. Brigid's heads were up and players like Jamie Winters, Eoin O'Brien and Ryan McAnerin ensured that Boden never looked like scoring the goals they would need to get back into the game. A fine display of goal keeping by Conor Carton (younger brother of Michael who plays for Dublin) helped keep Boden Scoreless.  

In the end Brigid's won easy with an 8 point margin on a 5-7 to 0-14 score-line and when the annals of Dublin hurling are written this 15 point turnaround will surely figure large. Above all, this was a team performance with every Brigid's player doing their bit to ensure the U15 Championship stayed North-side this year. Tough look to Ballyboden who we know will be back again next year.

Scorers: Philip Carroll 4-1, Daire Plunkett  1-3, Gavin McIntyre 0-3

St Brigids: Conor Carton, Geoff Mullins, Eoin O'Brien, Paul Brady, Alan Waters (c), Jamie Winters, Ryan McAnerin, Conor Woodgate, Alan McCarrick, Paul Clerkin, Niall Myron, Daire Plunkett, Philip Carroll, Gavin McIntyre, Brendan Roche

Subs: Dillon Casey, Cathal Doyle, Barry Murphy, Conor Brennan, Philip McEntee

Substitutions: Cathal Doyle for Sean Brady (40), Dillon Casey for Brendan Roche (50)

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