Cuala prove extra special to hold off Boden in epic SHC ‘A’ quarter-final

Defending champions Cuala kept their three in-a-row dreams alive when they saw off Ballyboden St Enda's after extra-time, 1-27 to 0-28, in an epic Go-Ahead Dublin SHC 'A' quarter-final duel at Parnell Park on Sunday evening.

Points in injury-time of extra-time from firstly David Treacy and then Con O'Callaghan eventually separated the sides after they finished normal time on level terms, 0-24 to 1-21.

In a repeat of last year's county decider David Treacy's point from the terrace sideline in the second minute of added time edged Cuala ahead before O'Callaghan's point, his fourth from play, sealed the deal just over a minute later.

Treacy finished this incredible contest as the game's top scorer - amassing 0-13 (0-11f) as Cuala showed the greater composure in the dying moments to book their spot in the semi-final.

They also had goalkeeper Seán Brennan to thank for an outstanding save to deny Pearce Christie in the seventh minute of the second period of extra-time following a clever crossfield pass from James Madden.

Niall McMorrow opened the scoring in extra-time before Darragh O'Connell, Colum Sheanon and his brother John, and David Treacy (free) pushed Cuala 1-25 to 0-25 ahead by half-time in extra-time.

Boden had reeled them in with points from Paul Ryan (free) and Niall Ryan before Brennan's brilliant full length save, low to his left, to keep out Christie's strike.

Boden had chances late on but couldn't convert them into scores before David Treacy and Con O'Callaghan produced their late heroics.

Cuala advance to face Kilmacud Crokes in their semi-final - a repeat of both the 2016 and 2017 county finals - while Lucan Sarsfields will face Kilmacud Crokes in the other semi-final.

In normal time of the Cuala-Boden classic a Paul Ryan free in the fifth minute of added time brought the game to extra-time (1-21 to 0-24).

The Dalkey men led 1-10 to 0-12 at half-time in normal time but on the restart the impressive Niall McMorrow levelled it following a penetrating run from Pearce Christie.

Between the 35th and 41st minutes Cuala hit four points without reply - David Treacy converting three frees and Con O'Callaghan using his strength to telling effect to engineer the score following a long delivery from his brother Cian.

However, Boden battled back with points from Niall McMorrow, Niall Ryan, from distance, and a Paul Ryan free following a foul on McMorrow.

Ryan, who was introduced as a sub and took over the freetaking duties from McMorrow, finished the contest with 0-9 (0-7f, 0-2 '65').

By the three-quarter stage a David Treacy free, his tenth point of the encounter, had Cuala 1-16 to 0-17 ahead.

The scores kept coming quick and fast to the conclusion of normal time before Paul Ryan's late, late free ensured extra-time.

In normal time Cuala led 1-10 to 0-12 at half-time after a high tempo opening 30-plus minutes.

The goal arrived in the 11th minute when Seán Moran reacted quickest to a Con O'Callaghan point effort from the terrace side rebounding back off an upright.

Moran raced onto the sliotar and showed good presence of mind to turn back on his left as defenders converged before rifling past Boden keeper Finn McGarry.

That gave the Dalkey side the lead for the first time, 1-3 to 0-5, after Ballyboden had started slightly the better.

Boden got the scoring underway as early as 11 seconds when Luke McDwyer posted a fine point from the standside.

David Treacy replied in the third minute after making a strong fetch of a long diagonal delivery from Jake Malone.

Niall McMorrow fired over two points, both off his left side, in quick succession before Cillian Sheanon made it 0-3 to 0-2.

McMorrow, who tallied 0-6 (0-3f) in the opening half alone and concluded with 0-10 (0-4f), converted a 50-metre free before a sweetly struck effort from Conal Keaney from 65 metres pushed Boden 0-5 to 0-2 up.

The Cuala defence tightened up at this stage with Michael Conroy making some good contributions for John Twomey's men.

After Moran's goal David Treacy put over a free, following a foul on Simon Timlin, before McMorrow was accurate from play and a free to level the game, 1-4 to 0-7, by the 15th minute.

Cuala's John Sheanon got the concluding point of the first quarter to edge in front by the first water stoppage.

In the second quarter James Madden hit three fine points from play for Boden but points from David Treacy, two frees, Diarmaid O Floinn and Con O'Callaghan had Cuala ahead by the minimum at the half-time interval, 1-10 to 0-12.