Christmas comes early for battling Ballyboden St Enda’s

Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-9 Portlaoise 1-11: Not so much a game won as one frittered away.

Still, it would be remiss not to start by focusing on the newest Leinster champions. For ‘Boden, this was their maiden provincial football title and they claimed it the hard way, by adding the scalp of the Laois giants to those of Kilmacud Crokes, Eoghan Ruadh/Oliver Plunketts and St Vincent’s. Not a bad roll call, that and they pause for Christmas now in the knowledge that a number of the traditional club heavyweights are absent and they will have no fear of facing Tipperary’s Clonmel Commercials or London’s Tir Chonaill Gaels come February.

“Let’s enjoy this one, merry Christmas,” said captain Darragh Nelson from the steps of the O’Connor Park stand as he held aloft the McCabe Cup, but manager Andy McEntee was already suggesting that their break will be over sooner rather than later.