Week Ending 15th November 2009

The truth of the maxim “goals win games” was proved during the fifty fourth and fifty fifth minutes. Up to then Crokes had found it difficult to shake off the opposition Vincents goaled in the fifth minute and led 1-2 to 0-1 by the thirteenth minute. Thanks to five more points the first half ended scoring at 0-6 to 1-3. While Crokes appeared to have the upper hand they led by just two points, 0-10 to 1-5, going into the fifty fourth minute. This proved the game deciding moment as majors from Sean McGrath and Jude Sweeney turned a two point advantage into an eight point lead. An over shortly after by McGrath and there were nine points in the game with five minutes left to play. Three minutes later a Vincents forward managed to kick to the net and sixty seconds into injury time a minor further reduced the margin.  That was effectively the end of the action as shortly after the long whistle blew to the delight of the Stillorgan contingent.

This was a deserved but hard earned victory that was in the melting pot for fifty five minutes. Throughout goalkeeper Dalton could not be faulted while outside him the full back trio of Enda Grogan, Sean Murphy and Paul Collins provided good cover. Jack Doughan anchored the half line, well supported by wing men Darren McVeigh and Alan Carr. At centre field Barry Mulligan and Killian Doherty covered swathes of ground. Apart from the outstanding Sean McGrath, Bill O’Carroll and Jude Sweeny, up front Eddie O’Byrne kept a good centre back quite when moved to the 50, Matthew Kinsella got through a lot of industrious work and Mark O’Dwyer was always threatening. Naomhan O’Riordain and Dylan Mulligan brought fresh legs and a different dimension when introduced while Hugh Byrne, who has had an impressive season and Cian O’Brien proved valuable assets.

 Friday night’s Friends of Hurling Dinner fittingly saw Crokes legend Mick Bermingham honoured in conjunction with Dublin’s other two hurling All-Stars, Alan McCrabbe of Craobh Chiarans and Crumlin’s Brian McMahon. Mick won a Dublin minor title in 1960 and over the course of a lengthy career Mick won several senior and other championships with the club. He was also a Dublin mainstay and a multiple Railway Cup winner with Leinster and later served as a Crokes mentor. To read more about Mick see HERE  and to see some images of the evening click on the flashing camera!

A brave show was not enough to see St Benildus College home in the Leinster Schools Junior Hurling B final in Dr Cullen Park, Carlow on Monday 10th 2009 against Colaiste Mhuire. As it turned out a slow start that saw the Johnstown (Kilkenny) school hit four points without reply in the first quarter went a long way to clinching the title. The Upper Kilmacud Road College came back into it but in the end had to give way 2-9 to 1-5. Crokes were represented on the panel by Patrick Tighe, Niall Hanley, Cian Gormley, Conor Devins, Ross McGowan, Andrew Colclough, Barry Horan and Mark Collins. Our congratulations to all involved with the team on their wonderful year. For report click on the image above