AIB All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final: Ballyboden downed by epic Daingean Uí Chúis comeback

AIB All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final

Daingean Uí Chúis (Kerry) 1-26 Ballyboden St Enda’s (Dublin) 1-24

By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

An incredible day of extra-time drama ended in double glory for the footballers of the Slea Head as Daingean Uí Chúis ground out a barnstorming comeback victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Their captain, Paul Geaney, wasn’t fit enough to start but showed incredible leadership after coming off the bench at half-time. He kicked 0-8, including the two-pointer to force extra-time and the two-point free to give Daingean Uí Chúis their first lead in the 77th minute.

They trailed by 10 points early in the second half, but Geaney’s introduction and six points from Kingdom defender Tom O’Sullivan hauled them back from the brink.

Mark O’Connor, the Aussie Rules star released by Geelong to travel home for this All-Ireland semi-final, kicked the insurance score. He will have to seek an extension as Daingean Uí Chúis become the first Kerry club to feature in the final since Dr Crokes in 2019. Scotstown or St Brigid’s will be their opponents at Croke Park on Sunday, January 18th.

Dublin representatives Ballyboden had a starring performance from Ryan O’Dwyer (0-7), but the favourites will rue Colm Basquel’s missed free to win this game with the last kick of normal time.

Throw-in on Leeside was delayed by 30 minutes as Dingle’s neighbours, An Ghaeltacht, claimed a last-gasp extra-time victory over Sallins in the Intermediate curtain raiser.

Ballyboden got off to a stormer. James Holland orchestrated an early two-pointer for O’Dwyer. They had a goal chance too when Brian Bobbett’s interception allowed Colm Basquel to release Holland, but Gavin Curran advanced to save. Corner-back Bobbett tidied up the rebound for a point.

Ballyboden wing-back Patrick Warren was the top-scoring Kerryman in the first half. The Gneeveguilla native popped up for back-to-back points before Colm Basquel opened his account for a 0-6 to no score lead.

It could’ve been more, but Tom Leo O’Sullivan blocked O’Dwyer’s shot and Holland sent the follow-up wide.

Matthew Flaherty got Daingean Uí Chúis on the board in the 14th minute. Ross McGarry replied before Flaherty added his second.

Ballyboden never let them score two in a row, though. Daire Sweeney struck a brace, including one free, before Dingle’s next through Niall Geaney. O’Dwyer and Ryan Basquel made it 0-11 to 0-3 after just 20 minutes. They even had a third sight of goal, but Ryan Basquel fired wide.

Daingean Uí Chúis steadied with a Dylan Geaney free and Tadhg Browne point, but Ballyboden kept replying through O’Dwyer, Ryan Basquel, and Warren.

In stoppage time, Daingean Uí Chúis were controversially denied a goal. Conor Flannery was deemed to have hopped the ball twice before unleashing a swerving rocket off the post and into the top corner, although his first bounce seemed to be made in the act of controlling the ball. The gap remained nine, 0-14 to 0-5, at half-time.

Paul Geaney was called upon at half-time and was involved in two early points for his cousin Dylan, while Tom O’Sullivan clipped another.

Kieran Kennedy was introduced for Warren and immediately helped to create 1-1 by the 36th minute. O’Dwyer booted the point and when Kennedy won the kick-out, the ball went through Sweeney and McGarry to tee up Colm Basquel’s finish.

They led by 1-15 to 0-8 but Daingean Uí Chúis began to lorry balls onto Paul Geaney and Tom O’Sullivan started cutting through on repeat. They had the next two points before an O’Dwyer response.

Paul Geaney added a free before a cluster of goal chances. Conor Geaney had two rasping attempts, off right and left. Hugh O’Sullivan saved the first and the second hammered the post.

They came again with Conor Geaney picking out the pass for Browne to cut inside and blast home. Now, it was 1-16 to 1-11 with 44 minutes on the clock.

It was end-to-end with O’Dwyer, Colm Basquel, and McGarry points nullified by Tom O’Sullivan’s pair and Conor Geaney.

Paul Geaney nudged Daingean Uí Chúis closer with a free before Tom O’Sullivan swung over an outstanding two-pointer to leave just two in the difference.

Dylan Geaney had a goal chance blocked by Shane Clayton, but Conor Geaney cut the gap to the minimum.

Mark O’Connor sent a chance straight at the keeper when he could’ve levelled and McGarry broke away to add to Ballyboden’s cushion.

Daingean Uí Chúis needed a two-pointer now and Paul Geaney stepped up to fire a long-range leveller.

There was time for one more play as Ballyboden won one last free halfway between the posts and sideline on the 14-yard line. Colm Basquel had a chance to win it, but sliced the free out towards the corner flag. It stood 1-20 apiece at full-time.

Sweeney was reintroduced for extra-time and kicked both a one- and two-point free as Ballyboden rebuilt their lead. Dylan Geaney pulled one back to leave it 1-23 to 1-21 at the change of ends.

Mikey and Paul Geaney levelled, but McGarry handpassed Ballyboden back in front. Flannery drew the outside-the-arc free for Paul Geaney to slingshot ahead. Ballyboden still had chances but Callum O’Dwyer missed a pair and Sweeney’s final two-point effort drifted wide.

Scorers for Ballyboden St Enda’s: Ryan O’Dwyer 0-7 (1 2pt); Colm Basquel 1-2; Daire Sweeney 0-5 (1 2ptf); Ross McGarry 0-4; Patrick Warren 0-3; Ryan Basquel 0-2; Brian Bobbett 0-1.

Scorers for Daingean Uí Chúis: Paul Geaney 0-8 (1 2ptf, 1 2pt, 2f); Tom O’Sullivan 0-6 (1 2pt); Tadhg Browne 1-1; Dylan Geaney 0-4 (1f); Conor Geaney, Matthew Flaherty 0-2 each; Mark O’Connor, Niall Geaney, Mikey Geaney 0-1 each.

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: Hugh O’Sullivan; Brian Bobbett, Shane Clayton, Harry Donaghy; Patrick Dunleavy, Cathal Flaherty, Patrick Warren; Céin D’Arcy, Alex Gavin; James Holland, Ryan O’Dwyer, Ryan Basquel; Ross McGarry, Colm Basquel, Daire Sweeney. Subs: Kieran Kennedy for Warren (35), Callum O’Dwyer for Sweeney (51), John McGuire for R Basquel (56), James Madden for Holland (58), Ryan Baynes for Donaghy (60+2), Sweeney for C O’Dwyer (e-t), Holland for Clayton (h-t e-t), Luke O’Donoghue for Gavin (73), C O’Dwyer for R O’Dwyer (77).

DAINGEAN UÍ CHÚIS: Gavin Curran; Patrick O’Connor, Conor Flannery, Brian O’Connor; Aidan O’Connor, Tom Leo O’Sullivan, Tom O’Sullivan; Mark O’Connor, Billy O’Connor; Tadhg Browne, Matthew Flaherty, Niall Geaney; Cathal Bambury, Conor Geaney, Dylan Geaney. Subs: Paul Geaney for Bambury (h-t), Mikey Geaney for Flaherty (52), Seán Óg Moran for A O’Connor (52), Ned Ryan for Billy O’Connor (54), Flaherty for C Geaney (73), Bambury for Browne (76).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).