Keaney stars as Ballyboden secure Sevens

Ballyboden St Enda’s became the first Dublin club to capture the One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Senior Sevens title, after a 4-13 to 3-11 win over fellow Southsiders Cuala in wet conditions at Glenalbyn on Saturday.

The Conal Keaney-led side were pushed hard but held a 2-5 to 1-5 interval lead, with player of the tournament Keaney netting two goals.

The second half began at frantic pace, with 4-6 registered inside four minutes, including two goals for each side, with Niall McMorrow bagging a brace for Ballyboden, John Sheanon and Mark Schutte on target for Cuala.

Ballyboden led 4-7 to 3-7 at this stage, and finished strongly with three of the final four points, including scores from McMorrow and Finn McGarry to secure silverware.

“It’s great for Dublin hurling to have two teams from Dublin in the final,” Keaney said afterwards. “Cuala are a strong team and I’m sure we’ll meet again in the Dublin championship.”

Earlier, goals from Keaney and Shane Durkin helped Ballyboden to a 2-13 to 1-7 semi-final win over Tipperary’s Moycarkey-Borris.

Cuala booked their place in the final, following a 6-13 to 3-3 win over Mullinahone, with Mark Schutte scoring five goals for the winners while Eoin Kelly had two goals for the losers.

Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon claimed their third Kilmacud Sevens Shield title, and their first since 2003, after a slender 1-12 to 1-11 win over Keady, Armagh in the decider.

The Tyrone outfit lost the previous three finals, including a 16-point loss to Kildare’s Éire Óg, Corra Choill last year. They took honours thanks to a late from Stephen Donnelly point.

Limerick’s Knockaderry claimed the Ratoath Intermediate 11s title with a 1-6 to 1-5 win over Galway’s Kilconieron.

Limerick senior player Tom Condon was named player of the tournament, after helping to inspire his side to honours, after trailing by six points.

Ahascragh Fohenagh claimed the St Jude’s All-Ireland Junior Seven’s Cup with a 4-5 to 1-2 win over Bredagh, Down, with St Kieran’s from Ardagh in Limerick taking shield honours.

Naas captured the Kilmacud U13s Sevens thanks to a 1-3 to 0-2 win over a John Fenton-managed Midleton.