41st One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland Hurling 7's Competition excels again!

Posted on Sun, 08/09/2013 - 20:04

Ballyboden, Eoghan Ruadh, Naas take 7's titles. Crokes honour Laochra na Seachtanna. Video added!

Senior Final

Ballyboden St Enda’s became the first ever Dublin winners of the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Senior Hurling Sevens at Glenalbyn on Saturday.

To make it even more historic they beat fellow Dublin southside rivals, Cuala, in the decider 4-13 to 3-11.

had knocked out the host club in the quarter-final before accounting for Tipperary’s Moycarkey by 2-13 to 1-07 in the semi-final.

After beating Portroe in their quarter-final, Cuala produced a superb display to overwhelm another Tipperary side, Mullinahone, by 6-13 to 3-3, in the semi-final. Earlier, Mullinahone had defeated Thurles Sarsfields in a game which pitted Tipp stars Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett against each other.

Despite the poor weather conditions the 41st Annual One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland Hurling Sevens Competition produced its usual quota of thrilling games and spectacular scores.

Over 60 Teams representing the 4 provinces took part in the Senior Cup, Shield and U13 competitions.

The first ball was thrown in at 10am and the action commenced at five separate Stillorgan venues at a fantastic pace. The tempo never let up throughout the Senior group games as teams from Tipp and Dublin dominated, culminating in the competitions first all Dublin final between Ballybodan St Enda’s and Cuala.

With both teams boasting a hefty representation of inter county stars ‘Boden edged the first half 2-5 to 1-5, with Conal Keaney bagging Boden’s two and Mark Schutte replying for Cuala. The second half started at a frenetic pace with with four goals in four minutes through John Sheanon and Mark Schutte (Cuala) and Niall McMorrow(2). Boden withstood a late Cuala rally, including a pointed semi penalty by David Treacy, to triumph on a scoreline of 4-13 to 3-11.

In the Semi Finals Ballyboden defeated Moycarkey Borris 2-13 to 1-07, while Cuala got the better of an Eoin Kelly led Mullinahone 6-13 to 3-03 to ensure one hurling all-Ireland in 2013 would return to the Capital. Both Dublin teams showed impressive touch and fitness to reach the final. It was fitting that Keaney was awarded player of the tournament following arguably his best year ever on the hurling field.

The beaten quarter finalists were Thurles Sarsfields, Kilmacud Crokes, Templederry Kenyons and Portroe.

For more on the Senior Final and the latest competition photos, click HERE

Shield Final

The Shield Final, in which teams from counties with emerging hurling talent compete, was hotly contested by Eoghan Ruadh of Tyrone V Keady of Armagh, with Eoghan Ruadh coming out on top on a scoreline of 1.12 to 1.11.

For more on the Shield Final and the latest competition photos, click HERE

U13 Final

The future of hurling was well represented by the U13 contingents from all over Ireland with Naas claiming an historic victory over a John Fenton managed Midleton by 1.2 to 2 points.

For more on the Shield Final and the latest competition photos, click HERE

Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Chairman, Peter Walsh said: “Despite the weather, hurling fans countrywide came out in their throngs to sample 7’s hurling at its finest. We are delighted that the Dublin clubs in particular didn’t disappoint them. We would thank One Direct for their support for this competition and because of them Kilmacud Crokes can continue to provide a platform for hurling talent in this unique competition. This official All Ireland tournament is one of the most prestigious competitions on the club calendar and we congratulate, Ballyboden, Eoghan Ruadh and Naas on their success and hope to see them back next year.”

Laochra na Seachtanna (Hero of the 7's)

Later on Saturday night, as the Kilmacud Crokes family gathered to look back on the course of the day's activities and to draw breath after the mammoth effort it takes to organise such a major national event, the Hurling Committee took the opportunity to honour two of the club's great stalwarts, Frank Foley and Gerry Hanley. Both were recipients of the inaugural "Laoch na Seachtanna" (Hero of the 7's) awards for their contribution the the successful running of the 7's competition over many many years.