Week ending 26 October 2009

 

On a wet surface Crokes faced off against the swirling wind. The Drimnagh side had a dream start and in the sixth minute a goal put them 1-2 to no score clear. By the quarter mark it was1-8 to 1-1. A Crokes revival had just four points in it at the break, 1-9 to 1-5. With the wind at their backs and their superior fitness beginning to show, the Kilmacud side took the field for the second half in confident mood. Within sixty seconds they suffered a body blow as one of their defenders was shown a red card. By minute forty one Counsel were six ahead, 1-12 to 1-8. In a two minute spell Crokes had it back to a single score, 1-12 to 2-8 and that was still the margin coming up to the fifty sixth minute. By now Counsel were also down to fourteen men. Then came the body blow as Counsel capitalised on a defensive lapse and made it 2-13 to 2-9. Crokes refused to lie down and once more took the game to their opponents. Their late pressure was rewarded with two points but it was not enough to stop the John Maher Cup (named after the Crokes legend) heading for Davitt Road. For report, photos and even some video clips, click HERE. On a day where the ultimate outcome fell short of the desired all concerned can take solace in the quality of the performance and be proud of the year’s endeavour.

 

At the beginning of the week on Tuesday 20th October 2009, at the end of an absorbing encounter that went right to the wire, it was disappointment for the Crokes intermediate hurlers in their championship semi final clash with Naomh Fionnbarra under lights at SeanMoorePark.

 

 After a rocky opening few minutes the Kilmacud team settled down and by the twelfth minute led 0-3 to 0-2 and it was 1-6 to 0-5 at the break.  When Sean McGrath put over a 50 metre free in the thirty fourth minute it was looking good for Crokes.  Gradually the Kilmacud team lost its grip and Finbarrs, who had opted for a more direct style of play in the second half with just two inside forwards, sent over four unanswered minors.  By the fifty fourth minute a 65 had Naomh Fionnbarra level.  Crokes went ahead once more but three closing points from frees were to prove Crokes undoing as it finished 0-15 to 1-10.  For report click

HERE

 

 

Earlier on Saturday one of the Division 1 under 12 teams, KC1, had a good back match league win away to Naomh Barrog. At half time, in spite of wind advantage, KC1 led by just 1-03 to 0-00. With goalkeeper, Killian Fleming, full backs Louis de Courcy and Tom Fox, Fiachra O’Connor and Stephen O’Dwyer to the fore, the Crokes boys upped their performance in the second half and ended 5-04 to 0-03 clear.

 

On Sunday the Junior C3’s concluded their AHL8 programme with an eight point victory over Na Fianna at Silverpark. Crokes, who led by six points at half time, benefited from the presence of several minors as well as veterans Deaglan O’Donaill, Hugh Liston, Fran Saunders and Nicholas Canny.

 

While this was going on the under 8’s and 10’s were on the road, this time to Edenderry in County Offaly, where they took part in two six team tournaments that also featured Clarinbridge and Oranmore Maree from Galway, Tipperary’s Toomevara, Naas from Kildare and the host club.

 

  Bank Holiday Monday saw Crokes inaugural under 15 Tournament. A great day’s hurling concluded with Nenagh Eire Og triumphing 0-5 to 0-4 over Ballygunner of Waterford in the Cup final. Earlier Ballygunner had emerged one point winners, 3-06 to 3-05, over Crokes after a gripping semi final. Crokes ended the first half (20 minutes aside) six points in arrears. A huge second half comeback had Crokes level with two minutes left. Gunner managed to go one ahead again and try as Crokes did the equalising score just would not come. In the quarter final Crokes overcame Naomh Eanna of Gorey by 5-13 to 1-04 while Ballygunner had an equally convincing victory over Whitehall Colmcilles. On the other side of the draw Nenagh accounted for Emeralds of Kilkenny and Rapparees of Wexford. In the Shield semi finals the eventual winners, Emeralds, overcame Cuala with a last minute goal and Whitehall Colmcilles proved too good for Naomh Eanna. Run off in the club’s grounds at Glenalbyn, Silverpark and Deerpark the competition proved a great success and we send our gratitude to all the competing teams, their mentors and officials. 

 

Kilmacud Crokes Panel:

 

Micheal Herlihy, Mark O’Loughlin, Daibhid Corish, Mark Collins, Conor O’Dwyer, Robert Murphy, James Murphy, Conor Devins, Oisin O’Rorke, Cian Gormley, Matthew Geraghty, Conor J O’Dwyer, Neil Gorey, Barry Horan, Caolan Conway, Matthew McNicholas, Tomas Barry, Louis O’Sullivan, Andrew Colclough, Conor Sweeny, Donal Keane, Odhran O’Siochru, Micheal O’Dwyer and Edward Campion.

 

In part the tournament was payback for the wonderful hospitality our teams have received over recent years all over Ireland. It was also an important part of the Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Committee’s policy of encouraging all our teams to play as much hurling as possible against teams from the traditional hurling heartlands. This was our fourth juvenile hurling tournament in October and during that time we have catered for nearly 1,000 young hurlers. As with the previous tournaments a great deal of planning and groundwork was required and we extend our sincere thanks to all those who assisted in any way, especially the excellent organising workgroup who went about their business so professionally and diligently. We would also like to put on record our gratitude to the parents and families of our own boys for their on the day and long term support. For a report by Denis Murphy click HERE 

 

 

Monster Draw

 

Like every other group in the club, the club executive is strapped for funds and has initiated a fundraising effort to get the money needed to pay for ongoing pitch maintenance.  The hurling club has been allocated a quota of tickets to sell as part of this initiative. Essentially it is a monster draw scheduled for 27th November 2009 and 26th February 2010 with a prize fund of €100,000 on each occasion.  Tickets for both draws together cost €100 or €50 per draw.  In all there are 940 prizes. Tickets are available for €100 each & if you wish to purchase a ticket, please contact any hurling mentor or member of the hurling committee.  For more, click on the following link.

 

 

 

Hurling Nursery

 

Nursery training has returned to Glenalbyn(pitch or Hurling Arena depending on weather).

 

The new group (BORN 2004) now start at 9am

New group (Born 2004) - 9am

U6(Born 2003) - 10am

U7(Born 2002)  - 9am

 

 

Please bring boots and runners in case of bad weather. Some hurleys and helmets will be available for new players but all players should endeavour to bring their own. Each child should bring his own water bottle clearly marked with his name.

 

Please contact the following if you have any queries;

 

Hurling, U6/ Born 2003 and 2004    John Maguire 087 6823264

Hurling, U7/ Born 2002    Mark Lohan  087 8052999

Hurling Nursery Officer: Brian Harrison 087 9201743

Hurling Club Coach: Niall Corcoran 087 9834287

Hurling Secretary: Frances Herlihy 086 8075730

Hurling Dev Officer: Mick Crowe 087 9967608

Parental Assistance 

 

We appeal to all parents of the new group to offer assistance in any way possible. No previous coaching experience is required and even periodic help is better than none at all. The success of the club relies on volunteers and it is a great way of getting to know other parents. If you are willing to offer any assistance in any capacity, whether it be coaching, roll, setting up pitches, tidying up pitches, etc. etc. please contact any of the following:

 

Niall Corcoran, Club hurling coach, 087 983 4287, niall.corcoran@gmail.com

Michael Crowe, Chairman, Juvenile Hurling Group, 087-9967608, mjcrowe@gofree.indigo.ie 

Margaret Keane, Registrar, 086 311 0020, Margaret.keane@yahoo.ie