Crokes D-lighted to cross the first Championship hurdle
Kilmacud Crokes 2.8 Scoil Uí Chonaill 1.7
The Kilmacud Crokes Division11 team upset the odds by beating Division 10 outfit Scoil Uí Chonaill (RobbieKelleher's alma mater!!) on Sunday last in the Junior D championship. Scoil hadan impressive 17 point victory over Liffey Gaels the previous Sunday and wouldhave fancied their chances coming to SilverPark. Manager Robbie Moloneygot the players geared up for the match by hammering home the basics thatneeded to be mastered on the day. The Game started a blistering pace and thefirst 15 minutes had everything you would want from a football match, except ascore. Enter Adrian Coyle who slotted over Crokes' first point to be shortlyfollowed by a good solo effort from Conor Sheehan, putting Crokes 0.2 to 0.0up. Scoil clawed their way back with a few points. Ciarán Doyle's knee went after 25 minutes andCrokes brought on veteran club player, and coach extraordinaire, ParaicMcDonald into the full forward line. Just before half time Darragh 'Molloy'Kenny made a great run from midfield, took the return pass from McDonald,before feeding Adrian Coyle and he buried the first goal of the game. Kenny addeda point of his own which left Crokes 4 up at the break 1.4 to 0.3.
A Crokes goal by GaryNolan at the start of the second half gave the team the inspiration they needto hang onto the result. From a 'rare' mis-hit free from Coyle, corner-forwardMark Lynsky stopped the ball from going wide by punching down into Nolan's armsand he smashed it into the top corner. Nolan hadn't finished scoring yet andafter banging over 2 long range frees, it was now up to Crokes to hold onto theresult. Scoil weren't going to give up easily and got a few unanswered pointsbefore being awarded a penalty mid way through the second half. Regulargoalkeeper John Keville was stranded in England for the weekend and teammanager Robbie Moloney was the man between the posts for the day. It was laterclaimed that his knees were shaking from old age and not by trying to preformthe same antics as 'Bruce Grobbelaar' during the 80's. Robbie guessed the rightway but unfortunately he couldn't prevent Scoil from getting their only goal ofthe game.
Crokes were not going togive up now and excellent points from Richie Tighe who was most energetic allafternoon helped ease the supporter's worries. Scoil upped their game but theCrokes full-back line of John Beirne, captain Thomas Corcoran and Collie Murphyheld firm and prevented Scoil from getting that second goal which they needed.A quick thinking Richie Tighe free found Dáire Brennan in space on his own andhe slotted over Crokes seventh point. Sheehan and Nolan in midfield had theirwork cut out for them in the last 10 mins and Scoil piled on the pressure. Our rock solid half-back line of FergusHanley, Tom Lyons and (Tipperary 1984 All-Ireland minor finalist) SeanO'Loughlin kept the Scoil attackers at bay. Mark Lynsky made a fantastic run atthe end when he grabbed the ball on his own 21 yard line and took off with it tuckedunder his jersey so to speak. He ran 60yards to clear the danger from the Crokes backline. John McCarthy added thefinal insurance point of the game for Crokes in the final minutes before theref blew the final whistle and the Crokes lads could celebrate a famous win.The team will now face Division 9 outfit St. Anne's in the last 16 match andthey'll be hoping for a similar performance.
1. Robbie Moloney, 2.John Beirne, 3. Thomas Corcoran, 4. Collie Murphy, 5. Tom Lyons, 6. SeanO'Loughlin, 7. Fergus Hanley, 8. Conor Sheehan, 9. Gary Nolan, 10. DarraghKenny, 11. Richie Tighe, 12. Ciarán Doyle, 13. Adrian Coyle, 14. Dáire Brennan,15. Mark Lynsky.
Subs; Pauric McDonaldfor Doyle, John McCarthy for McDonald, Ronan Synnott for Murphy, David Tunney,Shane Peacocke, David Beagon, Donal.
Absent, Cathal Thornton,Ian Sheridan, Brian Sheehan, John Keville and Marcus O Buachalla (wanna knowwhy - click here!!).