Adult Hurling 13th / 14th May 2023.

Senior (AHL2)

Seniors went to Ballymun on Saturday 13th to play Setanta. Setanta opened the scoring with a free but after that it was all BSJ, scoring 7 points without reply. BSJ were very much in control at the halftime whistle leading 15 points to 4. The second half was a very different story: soft ground, very tight pitch and playing into a stiff breeze saw BSJ struggle as the game became more physical. The ref would have needed eyes in the back of his head to keep on top of things. Seamus Fenton, who was outstanding in the first half, went off early in the second half with an injury after a nasty pull across his hand. Ian O’hEithir, also having a great game was struck off the ball but managed to play on. Tensions were high both on and off the pitch. It should be noted that Setanta’s free taking and points from play, especially in the second half, were top class, plus two very good saves by the Setanta goalkeeper. BSJ management can be very pleased in how a depleted squad stood up to the onslaught, working very hard to stem the tide. The game ended in a draw BSJ 0-21 to 1-18. We maintained our unbeaten run and stay in 3rd place with a game in hand. Next up is a home game v Nh. Fionnbarra. Wed. 24th in Marlay Park 7.15pm. Make sure and come out and support the lads.

Junior A (AHL5)

With a squad of 16 the Junior A’s headed to Palmerstown on Sunday morning to play St.Pat’s first team. With a number of BSJ lads either away or injured, the final score did not reflect the quality of the game and the effort put in by our lads. Alan Moran was outstanding with his free taking. A very even and competitive first half saw St.Pat’s ahead by a few points. However, in the second half St.Pat’s pulled away with the aid of a stiff breeze and a tiring BSJ, especially in the last 15min. Final score St.Pat’s 3-18 to BSJ 1-7. Important game coming up this Tuesday 23rd, at home v Whitehall, 7.15pm. All support very welcome.

Junior B (AHL8)

With reduced numbers of 17 Ballinteer St Johns 3rd senior team took on St Vincents on an overcast Sunday morning the 14th of May in Marlay. The home team started well and scored two points without reply; however, St Vincents scored the next five points leaving the St Johns boys in no doubt that they had a serious challenge ahead of them. A goal from Niall Slattery left them 1.4 to 0.9 behind at half time having squandered several chances of picking off points. Giving away soft frees led to seven of the nine points scored by the Vincents team in the first half. Good displays from Seanie Lane and Anton Redmond kept the margin to two points. The Vincents men started better at the outset of the second half scoring four points without reply before the St Johns lads got their act together and equalised the score halfway through the second half with strong performances from John Cleary and the two Barry's. Vincents then scored a soft goal which put the home team under pressure, but St Johns responded well and showed great character with Luke Ennis and Stephen Mulvanny solid at the back, a timely goal from Niall Slattery and accurate free taking left the home team 2.13 to 1.14 at the final whistle. This is the fifth win on the trot from this improving team having made a slow start to the season with two games lost leaving the St Johns team lying third on the table.  Next game is away v St. Maurs in Rush, Tues. 23rd, 7.15pm.

Special mention

The u16A’s (Div 1) started their league season with a disappointing loss away to Na Fianna in late February. Since then, the lads have gone unbeaten in their last 4 matches. They bounced back from that opening defeat with a win away to Ballyboden. They followed up with a draw in Marlay Vs Kilmacud and have since had away wins against St Vincent’s and Clontarf. There has been a big squad involved in the season so far and the lads continue to rapidly improve. Their next game is home v Raheny, Thurs. 25th, Marlay Park, 7.30pm. It’s 3rd v 4th  should be a cracking game. Put it in your diary!