Boardsmill poised to make swift return to senior ranks

Boardsmill manager David Troy can look forward to the prospects of a IHC final showdown against his own club Drumree following Saturday night's memorable semi-final victory against Dunderry. Crucially for Troy, his team will have to shoulder the burden of favourite for the showdown as Boardsmill bid to make a swift return to the senior grade after a 12-month absence. That senior experience was vital for Boardsmill on Saturday evening at Trim as they survived a thorough examination by a very strong Dunderry side that enjoyed a 0-8 to 0-4 interval advantage. Boardsmill looked like a team in trouble at the break, but they got back into contention with a solid third-quarter, but still had to survive some late pressure from a hugely determined Dunderry team. Dunderry's plight wasn't helped after corner-forward Eoin McCormack sustained a fifth minute facial injury. He had to receive treatment on the sideline for a deep cut. However, the Dunderry man resumed his role and managed to claim 10 points, four from play, as he displayed a wide array of skills coupled with commitment to the cause. McCormack's efforts were almost sufficient to engineer a remarkable revival as Dunderry battled back from a 0-9 to 2-10 deficit at the end of the third-quarter and closed the gap to the minimum with two minutes of normal time remaining. Under-siege Boardsmill had to find something extra to survive the onslaught and they displayed remarkable composure to achieve that feat in a real edge-of-the-seat encounter. Wind-assisted Dunderry dictated the opening half and were worth that interval margin as McCormack (five), Evan Stephens (two) and Bob Doherty split the posts. Dunderry were also denied a goal when Stephens saw his effort cleared off the line by Eoin Corrigan. Beleaguered Boardsmill managed four points in as many minutes midway through a half during which they were second in all departments. Martin Conway (two), Niall O'Rourke and Thomas Leonard were the marksmen. The introduction of John Flood for Vinny Guy with Corrigan taking over at full-back before the break was a crucial switch as was the interval advice from the manager. Boardsmill exploded from the traps and in a blistering 10-minute spell claimed 2-6 to wrestle the initiative from Dunderry. O'Rourke claimed two points, one from a superb sideline cut on the right, Conway also managed a brace along with one apiece from Stephen Gibbons and Niall Weir. The first goal arrived after only five minutes and Jimmy Pratt claimed the credit following a goalmouth scramble while Weir, who moved from midfield to full-forward bagged the second goal. Ahead by 2-10 to 0-9, Boardsmill were starting to look good, but inspired by five McCormack points and a Stephens goal, which arrived after Kevin Dowd was moved into attack, Dunderry answered the call of the supporters and set up a tense finish. O'Rourke claimed a brace of points for Boardsmill during that period and he added another one deep into injury-time before substitute Paul Slattery, who replaced Thomas Leonard, rifled to the net with practically his first touch. Boardsmill - S Masterson; L O'Brien, V Guy, B McLoughlin; E Corrigan, D Farrell, R Hatton; N McLoughlin, N Weir (1-1); N O'Rourke (0-6 four frees, one sideline), S Gibbons (0-1), M Conway (0-4); J Pratt (1-0), E Cribben, T Leonard (0-1). Subs - J Flood for Guy 30 mins; P Slattery (1-0) for Leonard 60m. Dunderry - M Horan; D Stephens, D McCormack, D Bruton; D Callaghan, I McCormack, T Doherty; K Dowd, B Doherty; C Minogue, D Geraghty, E McCormack, E Stephens, C Harrington. Subs - C Farrell for Harrington 21 mins; C Fitzgerald for Minogue 53m. Referee - Pat Foy (Clann na nGael)