U12 FOOTBALLERS DOUBLE JOY IN NAAS
U12's complete double in Naas, with the U12A team winning the cup competition and U12B team winning the shield competition.
The Kilmacud Crokes (2002) U12 A and B team travelled to Naas on Saturday 14th June 2014 to take part in the Naas GAA U12 Invitational tournament. We were in Naas bright and early. A parade around the pitch led by the Tallaght Band of all participating teams got proceedings under way. All the teams stood proudly for Amhran Na bhFiann. It was their All Ireland Experience. The Kilmacud Crokes players were presented with wrist bands with the Kilmacud Crokes colours and the Naas Colours by the Naas players with the words 'Friends in Sport'. A fantastic gesture from Naas GAA.
Cup Competition Report
Fresh from their success in An Riocht on Saturday 31st May 2014 the U12A (2002) U12 A team were determined to build on that success and come home with more silverware. The competition was 13 aside and comprised of two groups of 8 teams, with the winners and runners up of the groups progressing to the semi finals. Kilmacud was drawn in a tough group comprising of Athlone, Ratoath, and St Laurences. In the first game we were pitted against Athlone, a physically imposing team. Our boys started very slowly and it seemed the exertions of the mini all Irelands and the disco on Friday night was taking its toll. We were second to every ball in the 1st half and at half time were behind 2-1 to 1-0. It did not look good. The boys knew they have not played to their potential in the first half and each boy contributed to the team talk at half time and knew what they had to do in the second half. It was great to see leadership qualities from an U12 team. They were determined to put things right in the 2nd half and really upped their performance. They drew level with about 1 min from the end and with score at 2-1 to 2-1 we conceded a soft free which left us a point down with time ticking by. However we won the kick-out and with some great passes worked the ball up the pitch and scored the equaliser on the stroke of full time. The final result was 2-2 to 2-2. While the 2nd half was a great comeback, the boys knew they have more to offer.
In the 2nd game we played Ratoath and the tiredness of the 1st game was not evident. We started very well and the game was over by half time as we led 1-6 to 0-2, eventually winning 1-10 to 0-2. We carried that performance into the last group game and easily accounted for St. Laurences by a score line of 4-5 to 0-3. We finished group winners, and were drawn against Na Fianna in the semi final with Naas winning the other group and their opponents would be Athlone in the other semi final.
In the semi final against Na Fianna the boys were determined to reach another final and blew away Na Fianna in the first half leading 2-10 to 0-0 with the final score 2-19 to 1-1. Naas won the other semi final on a score line of 1-10 to 0-3 and word was being spread that Naas were an exceptionally strong team and had easily won all of their group matches.
In the team talk before the final the boys stepped forwarded and wanted to emulate the win in Down and the determination and attitude was wonderful to see. With the home crowd gathered in the expectation of a Naas win, the Kilmacud boys were on fire from the start and in their best display of the tournament pummelled the Naas defence with some early scores and raced into an early lead and at half time led 3-6 to 1-1. It was just a matter of keeping our concentration for the 2nd half. The 2nd half was much of the same, and we won comfortably in the end with the final score 5-8 to 1-1. The Naas manager was magnanimous in defeat and had high praise for the quality of our football in the final.
It was another wonderful victory by a group of boys who represented Kilmacud on and off the pitch with pride. The motto for the day was 'Give a 100% a 100% of the time'. They certainly did.
Congratulations to
Daniel Daly, Leo Fearon, Shane Lynch, Cian O'Cathasaigh, Conor Bleakley, Brian Hayes, Brendan Scanlon, Mark Murphy, Colm Roche, Dara Purcell, Mark Kelly, Cathal Kennedy and Michael Whelan.
Shield Competition Report
The Kilmacud Crokes KC2 panel couldn't wait for the start of the Shield competition. It was set up nicely for a great tournament. The Shield was a league competition and comprised of 5 Teams – Two Mile House, Ballinteer St Johns, Round Towers, Naas and Kilmacud. Our first game was against Naas. The pitch was very big and our lads were slow to take advantage of the space. It was a tight game and Naas matched us all the way. We finished winners but only barely at 1-3 to 1-2. The Crokes players knew if they had taken their points and used the wings better they would have increased their lead.
It was onto the 2nd game against Round Towers that the boys learned from the experience of their first game. This time they used the wings and space to great advantage and took the advice of managers to take their points. The boys won 5-10 to 1-2. The defence were fantastic.
The 3rd game was played against Two Mile House. We didn't know what to expect but again played to the game plan of using the big pitch and hit the open spaces. The boys again defended valiantly which provide the platform for our fast forwards into attack. Crokes won easily 5-4 to 0-2.
The boys now knew that they had to beat Ballinteer St Johns in the 4th Game to win the Shield. Ballinteer had won their previous two matches so it was a must win for both teams. It was a local derby played in Naas! The boys were up for it. It was a tightly fought game and the Crokes lads ran themselves into the ground. They did not give a very good Ballinteer side an inch and eventually won 2-2 to 0-2. They were Champions after winning their 4 games in a row through grit, determination and skill.
The KC2 boys were a credit to the club on and off the field. They were presented with a fantastic Shield Trophy and we hope the day will live long in their memories. A credit to Naas GAA club for their hospitality so much so that our boys want to go down there every week!
Congratulations to:
Eoghan Murphy, Robert O'Donovan, Milo Byrnes, Naoise Golden, John Sharkey, Kian Johnson, Tom Kennedy, Barry Woolahan, Conor Sullivan, Cian Donnelly, Michael Donnelly, Owen O'Flynn, Michael Nealon, Dylan Donnelly.
See attached for photos
General photos of tournament