Week Ending 8th July 2007

Seniors v St Brigids

First games of the week were on Tuesday evening.  The seniors were in league action against St Brigids in Silverpark.  Crokes ran off five points on the trot in the first seven minutes and also missed a few chances before Brigids opened with a pointed free.  The visitors then added another before Crokes re-asserted their superiority for the rest of the half.  At the break it was 1-9 to 0-3 for the home team with the goal coming, just before half time, through Donal McGovern’s poacher instincts when the Brigids keeper saved from Niall Murphy.

The second half served up more of the same and Paul Graham’s goaled 20 metre free to leave it 2-11 to 0-5 effectively ended whatever contest there was.  In the remaining 15 minutes both sides added to their tallies with Brian Motherway getting the final point to see the game end 3-14 to 1-7.  Best for Crokes were Niall Murphy, Aodhan de Paor, Niall Lillis, Damien Byrne, Fergal Armstrong, James Burke and Donal McGovern.

Team:

MacDara O’hOgain, Niall Lillis, Kieran Murphy, Ray Mangan, Niall Murphy, Aodhan de Paor, Damien Byrne, Fergal Armstrong, Hugh Gannon, James Burke, Fergus Garvey, Brian Motherway, Donal McGovern, Paul Graham, Eoin Roche.  Subs: Willie Ryan for Fergal Armstrong (inj), Neil Casey for Fergus Garvey, Tomas Donohue, Eoin de Paor, Andrew Hopkins

 

Junior B’s v O’Dwyers

While the senior game was going on the Junior B’s took the field against O’Dwyers at O’Toole Park in a play off for a quarter final berth.  Crokes had the better of the first half and led by three points at the interval.  However the Balbriggan men raised their game and were four ahead at the end, 1-16 to 2-9.  Among Crokes best were Bryan O’Shaughnessy, Kevin Dalton, Aidan Byrne and Muiris Loughnane.  Crokes hopes of making the knock out stages now rest on the outcome of another play off against Liffey Gaels at a time and venue to be confirmed.

Team:

Gary McMorrow, Paul Ryan, Mark Regan, Niall Hall, Pat Kennedy, Bryan O’Shaughnessy, Aidan Byrne, Kevin Dalton, Colm Crowley, Colm Duggan, Billy Condon, Steven Lambe, Muiris Loughnane, John Scanlon, Ciaran McGrath.  Subs: Niall Butler for Pat Kennedy, Gavin Hyland for John Scanlon, Oran Turley for Steven Lambe, Stephen Russell for Billy Condon.

 

Minor Hurling Summer League (v Ballinteer St Johns)

A dry but blustery Wednesday evening saw Crokes defeat Ballinteer St Johns 4-12 to 0-5 in the Minor Hurling Summer League at Silverpark.  Given recent weather the venue was in very good condition.  The game was evenly contested for the opening twenty minutes before Crokes pulled away.  Impressive on the evening were Fiachra O’Shaughnessey, Conor Caulfield, Ken Noctor, Andrew Whelan, Chris Cunningham and Niall Butler.

Team:

Gary McMorrow, Bill O’Carroll, Fiachra O’Shaughnessey, Andrew Whelan, Ken Noctor, Ronan Walsh, Darren McVeigh, Chris Cunningham, Conor Caulfield, Sean McGrath, Niall Butler, Eoin McGowan, Patrick Tobin, Naomhan O’Riordan, Cathal Thornton.  Subs: Oran Turley for R Walsh, Killian Doherty for N Butler

 

U12’s Camaint action

The same evening the under 12’s had three good Camaint wins in Deerpark over Ballyboden (1-2 to 1-0), Naas (1-2 to 0-0) and Faughs (5-0 to 0-1). 

 

Seniors v Craobh Chiarain

On Friday the senior hurlers maintained their table topping position with a 1-16 to 2-9 win over Craobh Chiaran at Clonshaugh to play Craobh Chiaran in the senior league.  On a windy but mainly dry night, with difficult underfoot conditions, when they twice went six points in arrears in the first half the omens did not look good for Crokes.  However three late first half points brought the margin at the interval to three points with wind advantage to come.  Even though Chiarans went four ahead at the start of the half Crokes reeled them in and were level through a James Burke goal by the 38th minute.  Over the next four minutes each side scored two points and then Crokes began to pull away.  With five minutes remaining they were four points to the good when a freakish goal brought the home team back into it.  However it was Crokes who finished stronger with points from Aodhan de Paor and Armstrong - two, a 65 and a 20 metre free - to give a final scoreline of 1-16 to 2-9.  For match report see HERE

 

League tables can be viewed  HERE  

 

Action for juvenile teams in Laois

There was no let up on Saturday with early departures from Glenalbyn for the under 10’s, 11’s and 16’s.  The under 10’s played two Laois Development Squads and Raharney from Westmeath in Portlaoise.  At Clonad, outside Portlaoise, the under 11’s also took on two Laois Development Squads.  Both sets of travelers acquitted themselves well and managements were well pleased to get quality games.

 

Under 16’s reach Carlow Tournament Final v Dicksboro

The under 16’s made for the annual Carlow Tournament which attracted 20 top clubs from around the country.  Games were of twenty minutes duration.  Following a long day Crokes took several impressive scalps and won through to the final against Dicksboro of Kilkenny.  Trailing by two points at the break, Crokes were well in the game but a combination of a fortuitous Dicksboro goal and tiredness, among a very small eighteen man squad, forced the Kilmacud boys to bend the knee, 1-5 to 0-0.  Our congratulations to Dicksboro.  It is a mark of the progress Crokes hurling has made that we can be a little down beat with such a result.  A few short years ago we would have considered ourselves fortunate to be on the same field as some of our opponents.  Great credit is due to the players, management and traveling support for doing the club proud and we look forward to many more great days with this stellar group of young men.  A more detailed report will follow, so do check back..

 

Group Games Results

Kilmacud Crokes 1-5 –v- St Rynaghs (Offaly) 0-0

Kilmacud Crokes 1-6 –v- Glen Rovers (Cork) 1-1

Kilmacud Crokes 1-4 –v- Rathnure (Wexford) 0-1

Kilmacud Crokes 0-3 –v- Holy Cross (Tipperary) 0-5

As Group winners Crokes went through to the semi-final.

Semi-final

Kilmacud Crokes 0-6 –v- Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 0-3

 

Dublin v Tipperary

While the Under 16’s were battling in Carlow Saturday afternoon pitted Dublin against Tipperary in Parnell Park in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Qualifier series.  With Crokes Ross O’Carroll contributing a point, Dublin were well in the game at half time and took the lead in the 43rd minute.  Unfortunately from then on the Munster men took over and ran out 1-20 to 1-11 winners.  For match report see HERE

 

Walkover in Summer MHL v Kevins

Sunday’s Summer Minor Hurling League game fell by the wayside when Kevins conceded a walkover.

 

Hurling Arena

Progress continues apace on our new Hurling Arena in Glenalbyn.  See HERE.  When complete this €500,000 project will be a huge addition to hurling in the club.

 

 

 

Hurling Nursery

Saturdays see the continuation of outdoor nursery activity at Glenalbyn. This continues every Saturday at 10.00 am for children born 1999 or later.  Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net.  Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery.  No hurling experience necessary!