Boden crowned Kings of Leinster

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA'S 2-9 PORTLAOISE (Laois) 1-11

For the first time in their history Ballyboden St Enda's were crowned Leinster Club senior football champions when overcoming Portlaoise in an epic battle at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday afternoon.

Aaron Waters was the late, late supersub hero for Boden as his point in the final minute of normal time saw Darragh Nelson's men edge out the Laois champions.

It was a dramatic finale to a pulsating game with Portlaoise taking the lead through a Cahir Healy point with four minutes to play.

However, Colm Basquel brought the sides level with a superb point following terrific graft from Conal Keaney and Keaney's 'never say die' attitude was again to the fore to create the opening for Waters' brilliantly struck winner.

Boden keeper, Paul Durcan, was also one of their heroes as he made two excellent saves in the second half to deny Brian Glynn in the 44th minute and six minutes later he repeated the feat when keeping out an effort from Brian McCormack as he diverted his shot onto his upright.

Portlaoise were left to rue two clear cut chances in injury-time when Paul Cahillane sliced a free wide from inside 20 metres in a central position and Conor Boyle also misfired from further out the field.

This victory book-ended a superb year for Dublin senior football with the flag-bearers for the club game in the county capturing a historic provincial title to add to all the achievements of the Dublin senior footballers in 2015.

Boden started well with an Andrew Kerin goal, soccer-styled to the net, in the sixth minute granting them the dream start. A Keaney free made it 1-2 to 0-1 after just eight minutes.

However, by the 22nd minute Portlaoise were on level terms, 1-3 to 0-6, following points from Brian McCormack, Brian Smyth, Paul Cahillane (free), McCormack again and Eoghan Whelan.

Portlaoise keeper Graham Brody had to be at his best to first deny Sam Malony and then Kerin of a goal before Keaney slotted a free to break a barren spell for Boden of 15 minutes.

Before the interval Portlaoise looked to have got the perfect half-time fillip when Cahillane got his first to a high delivery from Smyth to guide the ball to the net past Paul Durcan, with it taking a deflection off Shane Clayton on its way to the net.

But back came Boden with Michael Darragh Macauley rewarded for a long-bursting run when Darren O'Reilly put him through on goal to fire past Brody and give his side a 2-4 to 1-6 interval advantage.

Three minutes into the second half Keaney drove over a long-range pointed free following a foul on Kerin and some great defence initially from Stephen Hiney.

Portlaoise, though, forged ahead with points from Cahillane (free), Brian Glynn and Craig Rogers (free). Boden also had Durcan to thank for denying Glynn a goal.

The momentum was with the Laois champions but a Keaney free ended another 15-minute scoreless spell for his side when he converted in the 48th minute to make it 2-6 to 1-9.

Durcan again showed his excellence between the sticks to keep out 'Bruno' McCormack's 50th minute effort to set up a dramatic conclusion to this duel.

Healy put Portlaoise one up with four minutes of normal time remaining, but as they have done on several occasions en route to Sunday's final Boden showed great mettle to find the winning scores with Basquel and sub Waters on target to bring the Cup home to Ballyboden St Enda's.

SCORERS - Ballyboden St Enda's: A Kerin 1-2, C Keaney 0-4 (0-4f), MD Macauley 1-0, S Malony, C Basquel, A Waters 0-1 each. Portlaoise: P Cahillane 1-2 (0-2f), B McCormack, B Smyth, C Rogers (0-1f) 0-2 each, E Whelan, B Glynn, C Healy 0-1 each. 

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA'S: P Durcan; B Dwan, S Clayton, S Hiney; S O'Connor, D Nelson, R McDaid; MD Macauley, D O'Mahony; D Davey, D O'Reilly, C Basquel; C Keaney, S Molony, A Kerin. Subs: S Gibbons for Davey (34), A Waters for O'Reilly (42), S Durkin for O'Connor (50), D McCabe for O'Mahony (62).

PORTLAOISE: G Brody; D Seale, C Healy, J Delaney; E Whelan, K Lillis, B Mulligan; D Cullen, C Boyle; G Dillon, B Smyth, B Glynn; B McCormack, P Cahillane, C Rogers. Subs: C Dunphy for Cullen (13), R Maher for Dillon (32).

REF: J Hickey (Carlow).