Under-14A's Freeze out Bray Emmets
On the third coldest St. Patrick’s Day on record, there was nothing cold about this wholehearted display from Kilmacud Crokes Under-14A’s as they comprehensively overcame a Bray team, coached by Kilkenny’s John Henderson. Playing against a chilly wind in the first half, it took only five minutes for big full-forward, Jude Sweeney to smack the ball to the net. Three minutes later, Mark O’Dwyer pointed from a penalty and then, in the 11th minute, came the best score of the day, when Jude cut in from the right to crash an unstoppable shot to the top left corner of the net from a very acute angle. It took another three minutes before Bray opened their account with a 40 metre free. This left the score 2-1 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter. During this period, the tone of the match had been set with all six backs sticking closely to their opponents. In particular, Darren Lawlor and James O’Keefe left nothing past the full-back line and Steven Beale and the majestic Gary Melican on the half-back line were clearing every ball that came their way. Not to be outshone, however were Niall Murphy at left full-back and Fiachra Lynn at centre-back, both of whom gave quality displays for the entire match. As the half wore on, Eoghan O’Dwyer and Thomas Clarke got in on the scoring as both added points following some excellent mid-field play from Sam Cosgrave and the wizard himself, Dillon Mulligan. Three minutes before the break, Bray got their only score from play to leave the half-time score 2-3 to 0-2 in favour of Crokes.
On the resumption, the chilly wind stiffened. This did not lessen the resolve of the Croke’s players, however. In particular, the half-forward line of Eoghan O’Dwyer, Béadán Teague and Karl Russell were prominent. Karl showed that his recent performance in Thurles was no flash in the pan and Béadán was hardly beaten for a ball all day. Some darting runs from Mark O’Dwyer resulted in him scoring a lovely point after 36minutes. He followed this with a point from a free, five minutes later. His cousin, Eoghan then struck a “65” over the bar after 43 minutes and this stretched the Croke’s lead to ten points entering the last quarter. Perhaps the best point of the day was scored by Kevin Murphy, when he had to turn with his back to the goal with some six minutes remaining. In truth, everyone, including replacements Nathan Timmins, Oisín Ó Gallchobhair and Niko Salvino remained focussed throughout and Kilmacud Crokes ran out worthy winners on a scoreline of 2-7 to 0-2.
Kilmacud Crokes:- Paddy Tighe; Darren Lawlor, James O’Keefe, Niall Murphy; Gary Melican, Fiachra Lynn, Steven Beale; Dillon Mulligan (Capt.), Sam Cosgrave; Eoghan O’Dwyer (0-2,1f), Baetan Teague, Karl Russell; Mark O’Dwyer (0-3, 2f), Jude Sweeney (2-0), Thomas Clarke (0-1).
Subs:- Nathan Timmins for Sam Cosgrave (37mins), Oisín Ó Gallchobhair for Karl Russell (44mins), Niko Salvino for Thomas Clarke (44mins) and Kevin Murphy for Jude Sweeney (47mins)