Seniors v Young Irelands (Gowran)

On Sunday last, March 26th, Crokes senior hurlers had an encouraging 1 point victory against a strong Young Irelands (Gowran) team in an early season challenge game in Gowran. Gowran, who last won the Kilkenny championship in 2003 and were in the last 4 in each of the last two years, lined out with DJ Carey at full forward and it was the master himself who put Gowran in command early on with a goal and a point, after Niall Murphy had opened the scoring with a point for Crokes. The visitors knuckled down well after this early setback and traded scores with the hosts until a Paul Graham goal put them ahead by two points just before half time. Another point finished by Hugh Gannon after a fine move left Crokes up 1-6 to 1-3 at the break, after playing against a stiff breeze. Conditions deteriorated in the second half and despite the heavy pitch there was some fine hurling from both sides. An early Gowran goal and a couple of DJ frees put Gowran back in front but points from Murphy and Damien Walsh kept Crokes in touch.

With less that 10 minutes to go Gowran took a 3 point lead with what looked like a match winning goal but it was at this point that the Crokes lads upped their game. Points from Donal McGovern and Damien McSweeney and 2 excellent frees from Damien Walsh ensured a one point victory.

Crokes Team: Padraig Dempsey, Derry Collins, Declan Walsh, Cormac De Frein, Fionán Moriarty, Dave Mahony, Conor O'Connor, Hugh Gannon, Daibhí De Paor (0-1), Niall Murphy (0-2), James Burke, Damien Walsh (0-3), Donal McGovern(0-1), Paul Graham (1-1), Mick Dalton. Subs: Davy Baker for Dalton (inj), Damien McSweeney (0-1) for McGovern, Damien Byrne for Moriarty, Eoin Roche for Graham. Subs not used: Fergus Garvey, Mick Nolan, Colm Howley, Adrian Grogan, Eoin De Paor, Richie Power.