Tailteann Shield: Durkan leads the way as Boardsmill open with a win
February 16, 2025
The Boardsmill squad that defeated Clonard in the Tailteann Shield
Boardsmill 3-11 Clonard 0-7
Boardsmill opened their 2025 Tailteann Shield campaign with a hard earned victory over a stubborn Clonard side St Finians Park. With the wind blowing diagonally across the pitch, it was the home side who opened the scoring from a free before Niall Durkan kicked over a point for the 'Mill. Both sides traded further scores with Durkan and Eric McKay dissecting the posts the for Boardsmill. With 15 minutes gone it was three points a piece and from here the 'Mill took over, strong defending from Conor Darby, saw Jack Bird take off on a strong before passing the ball to Durkan who squared it Donal Flattery to punch to the net. Boardsmill kicked on and grabbed the next three points all from the boot of Durkan, including the first ever two pointer from a Boardsmill man.
Half time Boardsmill 1-06 Clonard 0-03
The second half couldn't have started any better as Eamon Roche Boardsmills very own Andre the Giant, won the throw in and set up McKay who carried the ball 40 yards to score a thunderbolt of a goal. Durkan kicked the next point from play before the Clonard men respond with two points of their own. The result was put to bed when Durkan grabbed Boardsmills third goal of the game. To the home sides credit they kept fighting and could have had a few goals only for strong defending and great goalkeeping by Andrew Gallagher. Boardsmill finished out with three points, two from veteran John Mitchell and newcomer Darren McDowell.
Congratulations to Andrew Gallagher and Darren McDowell on making their competitive adult debuts for the club.
A huge credit must go to referee Martin Ennis for allowing the game to flow and being up to speed with the new rules.
Boardsmill: Andrew Gallagher, Jack Bird, Jim Bird, Conor Darby, Ray Hatton, Jim Roche, Cillian Purcell, Eamon Roche, Eric McKay (1-1), Liam O' Brien, Darren McDowell (0-1), Sean Newman, Donal Flattery (1-0), Niall Durkan (1-7) and Keith Hamilton.
Subs used Alex Yourell, Tadhg Cotter, James Mitchell, Sean Cribbin, Bryan Henry, John Mitchell (0-2) and Bertie McLoughlin.
Referee: Martin Ennis
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