Week Ending 17 June 2007

Week Ended June 17th 2007

After a very successful mini All-Ireland during the week, Saturday 16th June 2007 was a busy juvenile hurling day.

By 6.00 am 47 under 10’s, their mentors and supporters were in Dublin airport ready for their flight to Cork where they played games against Na Piarsaigh in the morning and St Finbarrs in the afternoon.  The morning games against Na Piarsaigh provided huge excitement with one ending in a 7-2 each draw, after a stupendous contest, and the hosts prevailing in the other.  In the afternoon game Crokes edged the verdict 5-5 to 5-4.  Tired but bristling with excitement all made it safely back to base looking forward to their next adventure.  Our thanks to everyone involved in organising the trip and especially to our host clubs.

Mini all Irelands

From Monday to Friday, Glenalbyn was alive with the annual mini All-Irelands.  From under 6 to under 12 over 400 boys took part, cheered on by large crowds of parents, siblings and well-wishers from 4.30 to 7.30 pm each evening.

Excellently organised by Paraic McDonald and Niall Corcoran and kindly sponsored by Superquinn each age group was divided into teams of approximately 8 to 10 players.  Each team had a county name and team members are given a t-shirt in the colours of that county.  Under 6’s to under 9’s played Monday, Wednesday and Friday night with the under 10’s through to under 12’s playing on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.  Friday was the big night when even the weather held off.  Every team was involved in play off games with excitement at fever pitch and a barbeque for all players.  Our sincere thanks to the many more too numerous to mention who helped out with the event.  For more see HERE

Under 12’s

Saturday had most mini All-Ireland participants back in club action.  The under 12B’s went down after a battling performance against St Brigid’s first team in the Cup final played on the latter’s new all-weather pitch.  Best for Crokes were Gregory Buckley, Karl Doyle, Ferdia Rogers, Davy O’Connor, Stephen Faughey and Eamonn Allen.  On Wednesday evening this team reprised the excitement of their drawn semi-final in a rip roaring replay against Scoil Ui Chonaill in Deerpark.  After a very tough game Crokes came out on top, 5-2 to 3-5. For report see HERE

Earlier on Saturday the under 12A’s accounted for Na Fianna 0-9 to 0-5 in a league game at Deerpark.  Crokes led 0-6 to 0-1 at the break and could have been more ahead.  The second half was more even in a game where some fine points were scored on both sides.  Good performances were recorded by Cian MacGabhann, Donnchadh O’Murchu, Niall Kelly, Dara O’Gallchobhair, Oran O’Siochru, Mark O’Loughlin and Scott Smith.  Being able to finish the game made up for the abandonment of their league match away to Castleknock in Porterstown on Wednesday which was abandoned at half time due to a thunder storm that flooded the pitch

Under 13’s

Saturday afternoon saw the two Division 1 under 13 teams in Top 5 league action.  One team travelled to Tymon Park where St Judes reversed the earlier league result on a 2-4 to 1-1 scoreline.  While Crokes had most of the first half play they went in 0-3 to 0-0 down at half time.  A goal and a point within two minutes of the restart was exactly what the Kilmacud boys did not need.  Undaunted, they battled back and by midway in the half there was only a goal in it.  Crokes continued to press but were unable to register the necessary scores and with a few minutes remaining a Judes attack produced a goal to put a greater gloss on the final score.  Best for Crokes were Mark Mannion, Philip O’Shea, Oisin O’Rorke, Matthew Geraghty and Eoin O’Doherty

In Hermitage the other team went down 5-9 to 1-5.  Trailing 3-4 to 1-3 at the interval, having played up hill, it was all to play for in the second half but as it transpired Boden maintained the upper hand.  Crokes best on the day included goalkeeper Barry Horan, Conor J O’Dwyer, Thomas Campion, Caolan Conway, Neil Gorey and Eoin Ryall.

Under 14’s

The under 14’s notched up a good 1-7 to 0-7 league win away to Lucan, having led by three points at the short whistle.  Impressive for Crokes were Keith Finn at centre forward, Jamie Clinton, Emmet Doherty, John Huban and Oisin O’Carroll.  On Sunday an indirect string was added to the under 14’s bow by virtue of Castleknock’s Division 1 Feile na nGael triumph.  On the last two occasions the clubs have met the scores have been level.  Our warmest congratulations to Castleknock on their great success in becoming only the second Dublin team to win the title.  While this is another very promising step for Dublin hurling we can assure them normal service will be resumed when we next meet!

Under 8’s

In Oatlands College the under 8’s hosted Na Fianna in the triple team league, playing six, winning five and losing one of the games played.  The under 9 double teamers went to Pearse Park to play Crumlin while their triple team colleagues entertained Na Fianna also in Oatlands.

Under 11’s

The under 11 double team panel beat St Brigids away by an aggregate of 60 points to 17 in their league (for scoring rules see below)  with starring shows by Ronan Kennedy, Stephen Barr, Eoin McMahon, Daniel Dempsey, Ruairi Geraghty, Adam O’Neill and Eamonn Allen..  The under 11 single team squad had an impressive 5-5 to 1-2 win away to Naomh Olaf.  Crokes led 0-2 to 0-1 at half time and had strong performers in Michael Crowley, Stan O’Neill, Cian Montague, Kevin Culligan and Tom Duke.

Wednesday was almost as hectic as Saturday.  As well as the under 12 games mentioned above the under 11’s had three teams in action.  Results are captioned below.  Under the rules of this league two points are awarded for a traditional style point, one for a “goal” and one for a high catch cleanly executed.

Minors’ Summer League

In Silverpark the minor hurlers had a good 3-13 to 1-13 Summer League victory over Cuala with Cathal Thornton, Brian Hanamy and Andrew Whelan to the fore.  The same evening, the Junior 5’s lost by four points to Civil Service in the championship, conceding two late goals.

Junior B’s

An unseasonly wet Thursday evening pitched the Junior B hurlers against Glenealy of Wicklow in a challenge at Silverpark.  Notwithstanding the conditions a high scoring game ensued that ended 5-12 each.  Best for Crokes were two goal Bryan O’Shaughnessy, full back Mark Regan, Colm Maher with 1-2, Richie Fanning, Colm and Diarmuid Howley.

Under 12’s v Rapparees

On Sunday morning in Deerpark the under 12’s played Rapparees of Enniscorthy in a good competitive challenge eventually going down by 1-4 to 0-4, having trailed 1-0 to 0-2 at half time.  Starring for Crokes were Oran O’Siochru, Karl Doyle, Graham Healy-Hayes, Conor Hayes and Michael O’Dwyer.

Hurling Arena

Progress continues apace on our new Hurling Arena in Glenalbyn see HERE   When complete this €500,000 project will be a huge addition to hurling in the club. 

Hurling Nursery

Saturdays see the continuation of outdoor nursery activity at Glenalbyn. This continues every Saturday at 10.00 am for children born 1999 or later.  Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net.  Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery.  No hurling experience necessary!