Week ending 2 Sept 2007

All Ireland Sevens Tournament

Saturday 1st September was almost as good as it gets with another massively successful AIB Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens and the home club reaching two finals. 

Senior Competition

Large crowds attended the five Sevens venues where over 30 clubs battled it out in the premier AIB Cup competition.  After a testing days hurling two teams were left standing, the 2001 champions Sarsfields from Cork and Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes.  In the final the Corkmen powered by Kieran Murphy, player of the tournament, had too much for the home team but it was still a huge achievement for the Crokes side to progress this far and great credit is due to all concerned. 

Squad:

Paul Graham, Kieran Murphy, Adrian Grogan, Declan Browne, Damien Byrne, Niall Murphy, Fergal Armstrong (Captain), Brian Motherway, Neil Casey, James Burke

Under 13 Competition

The Under 13 competition (11 a side) provided an even greater boost for Dublin hurling when Crokes emerged triumphant with an emphatic 1-7 to 0-2 final victory over Ballygunner from Waterford.  Along the way Crokes accounted for O’Loughlin Gaels, Douglas and Clarecastle while going down by two points to Na Piarsaigh from Cork in one of the round robin games.

Squad:

Ross McGowan, Daibhid Corish, Mark Collins, Conor Sweeny, Oisin O’Rorke (Captain), Kevin James McGowan, James Murphy, Philip O’Shea, Matthew Geraghty, Conor Devins, Neil Gorey, Conor J O’Dwyer, Matthew McNicholas, Conor O’Byrne, Caolan Conway

A more detailed report will follow...

Shield Competition

The Shield final was an all Longford affair with Clonguish defeating Slasher Gaels. 

Sár lá, sár eagrú! 

As usual the massive organisational and logistical exercise that is the Sevens was pulled off with aplomb by Tom Rock and his team.  Our thanks to them and to everyone in the club whose help and support made the day such a success.  Our thanks also to Eamonn Ryan and AIB for their wonderful sponsorship of and empathy with the festival.

For more on the 2007 Sevens Tournament click  HERE

Under 12’s Camáint Final, Parnell Park

While all this was going on the Under 12’s defeated Naas in the camant semi-final at Parnell Park before going down by a goal to Ballyboden in the final.  On a day where everyone played their part well, to the fore for Crokes were David Kane, Donal Keane, Ronan Horgan and Michael O’Dwyer.

Squad:

C. MacGabhann, O O’Siuchrú, A Price, R Horgan, D Keane, D Kane, C McIntyre, D O’Gallchobhair, M O’Loughlin, D Mullins, M O’Dwyer, C Hayes, D O'Murchú, C Keane-Breslin, M Mitchell, A Spollen, E Campion, G Buckley.

Earlier in the week…

There was other activity earlier in the week.  On Monday the Under 14’s had a convincing 7-9 to 0-5 league win over St Brigids in Silverpark.  Jamie Clinton with 2-3, Fionan Motherway, Justin Cassidy, Cian Delaney and Barry O’Farrell were among the stars.  At the same time and place the Minor B’s went down gamely to St Patrick’s, Palmerstown, in a Division 2 league tie.  Having leaked 1-3 without reply in the first ten minutes, Crokes were always faced with a difficult task.  Nevertheless they fought back valiantly to leave the final score 3-8 to 1-6. Man of the match Cillian Caffrey was ably supported by Conor Caullfield, Jack Kelly, Andrew Whelan and Sean McGrath

Tuesday evening was busier with three teams in action.  The Seniors ended the round robin stage of the Boland Cup with a 3-9 to 1-15 draw against Crumlin in Silverpark.  Undefeated, they now progress to the semi-final.  The Under 15’s put up a good show, especially in the second half before losing 4-13 to 2-11 to St Judes in the championship semi-final also at the Leopardstown venue. The Under 16B’s defeated Clontarf in their Championship game in St. Anne’s by 1-15 to 0-07.

The Under 13B team had and exciting Division 1 league win over Ballyboden in Deerpark.  Ahead 1-5 to 0-4 sat the interval the Crokes boys went into a seven point lead midway through the second half.  However Ballyboden refused to lie down and bit by bit narrowed the margin.  The Crokes defence was resolute.  The Kilmacud boys refused to panic, regained the initiative and were attacking at the final whistle.  Stars on the night included captain Andrew Colcough, Conor Sweeny, Hugh Gowing, Oisin O’Rorke, Luke Hyland, Conor Devins, Matthew Geraghty and Donal Keane.

Next Week…

Next week’s fixtures to Thursday are listed below.  As always it is advisable to confirm fixtures with relevant managers

HurlingAcademy

Saturday nursery activity will resume Saturday 8th September 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