U14s - Shootout at Tymon Corral

Whilst the gamblers anonymous frittered away at the last race in Punchestown, the skeleton U14 Hurlers backroom staff headed out west for a shootout in the Tymon Corral.Those that rode shotgun saw a dress rehearsal for the upcoming feile semi-final vs St Judes.

St Judes started off with characteristic hi-intensity and competitive hurling. Initially winning the physical contests for possession St Judes built up a 1-3 to 0-1 lead vs Crokes. The breakaway score for Crokes a neat pass and a goal-chance point that rocketed a foot over the bar from Conor O Byrne showed some potency in Crokes. Key factor in stabilizing Crokes rocky start was some tidy and excellent keeping by Conor Sweeney and an important block by Andrew Colclough. Another goal leaked at that time would have give the Crokes lads a bigger hill to climb.

Fortunately they started to get back into the game getting parity of possession and commitment.

The breakthru was a Matthew McNicholas goal that arose from a breaking ball on the left. There was fluency and some ascendancy to Kilmacuds as half-time arrived - the sides level at 1-4 apiece.

Second Half - Characteristically as dusk approached the dying wind in Crokes favour proved to be of little advantage. They were now more competitive, the half-back line of Conor O'Dwyer, Robert and James Murphy repelling St Judes assault line. On the full back line Daibhid Corish won the titanic struggle with the threatening Judes Full forward, whilst on the flanks both Philip O Shea and Conor J O'Dwyer were consistently showing first to the sliothar and clearing their lines.

 

Both Kevin-James Mc Gowan and Conor Devins were now getting the better of midfield. In the half-forward line both Matthew Geraghty and Cian Gormley continued to keep the pressure on the Judes half-backs. Up front Barry Horan's Mobility asked question of the Judes full back and setup cahnces for his corner forwards Conor O Byrne and Michael Herlihy. Some excellent long distance point scores settled nerves and a Matthew Geraghty goal put Crokes in the driving seat - a follow on McNicholas chance from another breaking ball gave Crokes a strong lead.The late substitution of Louis O'Sullivan gave energy and variety to the Crokes attack in the final quarter.

 

However Judes whose resolve was never in doubt scored a fine goal when their number eight went on a powerful run - a key reminder that they are strong opposition.Both teams know it will be a much different affair when they meet again on May 10th.

 

KC Scorers (MMcNicholas 2-2, MGeraghty 1-0, B Horan 0-2, Conor OByrne 0-2, Conor Devins 0-2