Thanks for joining us this afternoon for our live coverage from Croke Park. Report and reaction to follow.
The Dublin club are about to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup for the first time in their history after a thoroughly deserved victory this afternoon.
Full-time! Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-14 Castlebar Mitchels 0-07
Ballyboden 2-14 Castlebar 0-07
The final whistle can’t come soon enough for Mitchels. It just hasn’t been their day and they’ve been well beaten.
Bob Dwan, who has been absolutely superb, is named man of the match.
Ballyboden 2-13 Castlebar 0-7
And Boden are adding further gloss to the scoreline. Four minutes of injury time at Croke Park.
Ballyboden 2-11 Castlebar 0-07
Couple of points for either side as we enter the final few minutes.
Ballyboden 2-09 Castlebar 0-06
Castlebar still plugging away and a close-range free brings them within nine of Ballyboden. They’ll need a miracle from here but there’s still time.
Ballyboden 2-09 Castlebar 0-05
The Dublin side are doing all the running and look dangerous every time they venture forward. Just ten minutes left on the clock.
Ballyboden 2-09 Castlebar 0-05
Durkin stretches Boden’s lead to 11 points but Mitchels hit back with two quick points.
Ballyboden 2-08 Castlebar 0-03
It’s just not happening for Castlebar as they continue to spurn scoring opportunities. Boden are still looking the more dangerous as Keaney extends their advantage.
A great shot of Andrew Kerin’s first-half penalty.
Ballyboden 2-07 Castlebar 0-03
Brilliant save from Rory Byrne to deny Colm Basquel again but Boden recycle the ball and Dwan eventually slots over from close range for his third of the day – and seconds later Shane Durkin’s left foot strike is sweet and between the posts.
Slightly more sedate start to the second period than the first as we remain scoreless since the interval. Castlebar, attacking the Hill 16 end, need to force the tempo as they search for a route back into the contest.
The attendance at Croke Park this afternoon is 31,518.
Back underway at Croke Park. Can Castlebar turn this around or have they left themselves with too much to do?
The teams are back out for the second-half.
Just before the interval, Richie Feeney’s effort was deemed inches wide by Hawkeye and then Paul Durkin’s long-range free came back off the post.
Half-time! Ballyboden 2-05 Castlebar 0-03
Three minutes of added time at the end of the first-half.
Ballyboden 2-05 Castlebar 0-03
Great score from Neil Lydon as he cuts inside on his right foot and dissects the posts. Castlebar finding their feet now.
Ballyboden 2-05 Castlebar 0-02
Early change for Mitchels as Fergal Durkan replaces Shane Hopkins. Meanwhile, Neil Douglas registers his second point of the day to double Castlebar’s tally.
Ballyboden 2-05 Castlebar 0-01
Stephen O’Connor gets in on the act now and the Boden fans in the spring sunshine in the Cusack Stand are on their feet again.
It’s been a frenetic start to proceedings at HQ.
Ballyboden 2-04 Castlebar 0-01
After the Mayo men get up and running, Bob Dwan notches another brilliant score from play.
Ballyboden 2-03 Castlebar 0-01
What a save from Paul Durcan! His fingertip stop denies Neil Lydon but Castlebar are finally on the board from the resulting 45.
Ballyboden 2-03 Castlebar 0-00
Castlebar have been caught completely off guard and are rattled. Eoghan O’Reilly passes up the opportunity to get the Mayo men on the board as he pulls his free.
GOAL! Ballyboden 2-03 Castlebar 0-0
Andrew Kerin steps up and dispatches a penalty low past Rory Byrne after Aran Waters was fouled by Tom Cunniffe.
Ballyboden 1-03 Castlebar 0-0
This is hard to believe. Ballyboden running riot. Ryan Basquel launches one between the posts.
Ballyboden 1-02 Castlebar 0-0
Michael Darragh Macauley with a fine score from the left and Ballyboden’s lead is five points.
Colm Basquel celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game.
Ballyboden 1-01 Castlebar 0-0
Castlebar are at sixes and sevens at the back. A simple long ball causes chaos in their defence and Rory Byrne does well to deny Basquel.
Ballyboden 1-01 Castlebar 0-0
Conal Keaney has the chance to extend his side’s lead but his free sails inches wide of the post. Castlebar are struggling to get into the game and are awaiting their first point.
Ballyboden 1-01 Castlebar 0-0
Fast start for the Dublin side as Basquel’s goal is followed up by a point from Bob Dwan.
GOAL! Ballyboden 1-0 Castlebar 0-0
What a start for Ballyboden! Colm Basquel breaks free and is given acres of space to bear down on goal and fire past Rory Byrne.
And we’re underway! Castlebar, in their unmistakable red and gold, are in possession.
The pre-match formalities are complete and we’re very nearly set. Which way do you see this one going?
Just to confirm, Shane Durkin is a late addition to the Ballyboden team after Declan O’Mahoney lost his appeal against the red card he picked up in the semi-final win over Clonmel Commericals.
Andy McEntee switches Aran Waters into the midfield and Durkin, a senior hurler with Dublin, will occupy the left half-back berth.
Castlebar Mitchels:
1. Rory Byrne
2. Tom Cunniffe
3. Alan Feeney
4. Donie Newcombe
5. Paddy Durkan
6. Eoghan O’Reilly
7. Ray O’Malley
8. Ger McDonagh
9. Barry Moran
10. Shane Hopkins
11. Neil Lydon
12. Neil Douglas
13. Stephen Keane
14. Richie Feeney
15. Danny Kirby.
Ballyboden St Enda’s:
1. Paul Durcan
2. Bob Dwan
3. Stephen Hiney
4. Shane Clayton
5. Robbie McDaid
6. Darragh Nelson
7. Aran Waters
8. Michael Darragh Macauley
9. Shane Durkin
10. Darren O’Reilly
11. Colm Basquel
17. Ryan Basquel
18. Stephen O’Connor
14. Conal Keaney
15. Andrew Kerin.
Not long until throw-in now but he’s some pre-match reading for you:
Before we concentrate on the football final, here is Fintan O’Toole’s match report from Croke Park as Na Piarsaigh make history at HQ.
In the hurling final, Na Piarsaigh have just beaten Ruairí Óg by 2-25 to 2-14 to secure a first All-Ireland senior club hurling title for Limerick.
Good afternoon and welcome to the second of today’s liveblogs from Croke Park. The All-Ireland club senior football final is up next as Ballyboden St Enda’s and Castlebar Mitchels go head-to-head.
Throw-in at HQ is a little under an hour away and we’re following every kick of the ball right here.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
