Ballyboden St. Endas dug deep in a tough and emotional Leinster Hurling Quarter Final to see off opponents Clonkill after extra time. 0-15 for Paul Ryan on the night was what ultimately swung the game in favour of the Dublin Champions. Second Half substitute Paul Doherty lended a hand with 1-02 in extra time to see Boden face Coolderry in two weeks time in the provincial semi finals.
Despite a gruelling encounter the result seemed irrelevant following a truly sad day for the Clonkill club, who earlier had buried Annabel Loughlin, the young daughter of club stalwart and former Westmeath player Enda Loughlin. Credit to the club and their panel for an immense display of character to travel and compete at such a sad time.
Clonkill captain Brendan Murtagh scored 0-11 for his team, with his score sending the game into extra time at 1-17 each. Half forward Luke Loughlin, a relative of Enda registered 1-02 on the night, with Eoin Price scoring 0-04.
The visitors got off to the better start and were 0-06 to 0-02 ahead after ten minutes. But they’d remain scoreless for twelve long minutes as Paul Ryan (3), Aidan Mellett and Niall Ryan would edge Ballyboden ahead before Price equalised for Clonkill and then take the lead again.
Another score from Murtagh put them two ahead, but two frees from Paul Ryan squared the sides up as they approached half time. But Aidan Mellett pierced the Clonkill defence with seconds to go. His pass was missed by Conor McCormack but Niall Ryan was on hand to apply the finish to the net. At the break Ballyboden were slightly better off on 1-09 to 0-10.
With thirteen minutes of the second half gone the sides were level on 1-11 each after Luke Loughlin hit the net for Clonkill. The intensity rose as these two teams levelled five more times during the half to send the game into extra time.
Clonkill started the extra time with the upper hand but two scores each from Paul Ryan and Paul Doherty swung the game back into Boden’s favour. The momentum continued right through the extra periods, with the Dublin champs easing 0-06 clear before Niall Mitchell pulled a goal back for Clonkill. But Doherty would kill the game off for Ballyboden in the 82nd minute to score his side’s second goal and finish a hard fought game 0-06 clear to pick up the win.