U13 Boys DIVISION 1 - KILMACUD CROKES U13’S STAGE "LATE LATE SHOW" TO DENY LUCAN! (KC 1-15 Lucan 2-8)

U13 DIVISION 1 - KILMACUD CROKES U13’S STAGE "LATE LATE SHOW" TO DENY LUCAN! (KC 1-15 Lucan 2-8)

(Match Report by Diarmuid Coogan.)

In the early 90's, famous actor Brian Dennehy played a central role in "The Iceman Cometh" in Dublin's Abbey Theatre. Well, the "Iceman" re-appeared in Deerpark on Saturday in the shape of Crokes’ U13 Wing Back Rory Flannery who gave a free taking exhibition in the last 10 minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for his side.

Playing into a strong wind in the 1st half, Crokes had a reasonable start and scores were tied at 0-3 each with Conal Criostoir (0-2) and Connie O'Sullivan (0-1) keeping them level after 10 minutes.

However for the remainder of the 1/2, Lucan were completely dominant, winning most of the 50/50 battles and showing greater physicality and intensity.

Only for a combination of poor finishing by the Lucan forwards and some good saves by Luca Rohan in goal, the half time deficit would have been a lot more than 2-5 to 0-4. (Flannery added a free.)

Crokes' task was made even more difficult by the injury to Rian Robertson just before the interval, one of their few players who was matching Lucan physically. (H/T KC 0-4, Lucan 2-5)

2ND HALF.

With a strong wind behind them, the Crokes' mentors expected that they would quickly get the scoreboard ticking and Conal Criostoir duly obliged with a free 3 minutes into the 1/2. (0-5 to 2-5)

However Lucan played some of their best hurling of the match in the next 6 minutes hitting 3 points to stretch their lead to 2-8 to 0-5 on 40 minutes. Crokes had been wasting opportunities by over running the ball in chasing goals but managed to settle a bit before the water break with Criostoir adding another free and O'Sullivan hitting a point to reduce the deficit to 2-8 to 0-7.

4th Quarter - COMETH THE HOUR!

The 4th quarter resumed with a puck out from 2nd half Goalkeeper Conor Coogan who found Criostoir in acres of space on the right. Criostoir carried for 10 metres before hitting a great point to make it a 6 point game.

Crokes mentors were hoping that they would now get into their stride but Lucan continued to frustrate, chances were missed and Crokes were showing a distinct lack of composure for the next 10 minutes with the only score coming from O'Sullivan on 51 minutes. (0-9 to 2-8)

COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE (ICE)MAN!

On 56 minutes, Crokes were awarded a free - Rory Flannery stepped over the sliothar and with shouts coming from all round to drop it short, he ignored "the noise" to score a fine point. (0-10 to 2-8)

Crokes were now imposing themselves physically and having contested the resulting puckout, were awarded another free which Flannery sent over to make it a 3 point game. (0-11 to 2-8)

It was now Lucan whose composure deserted them and following a blatant push into the back of No.6 James Ryan, Flannery pointed his 3rd free in 3 minutes.(0-12 to 2-8)

With 1 minute of normal time remaining, Flannery hit his 5th free of the game to make it a 1 point game. (0-13 to 2-8)

Again the Crokes contested the puck out and were awarded yet another free around the Lucan 65 on the left. Up stepped "you know who" in expectation of the equalizer but ironically his radar was slightly off this time as the sliothar dipped vicously and deflected off the Lucan Goalkeeper's hurl into the net to give Crokes an unlikely lead! (1-13 to 2-8)

With the game now in injury time, Lucan launched a major attack from the puck out but stout defending from Jonathan Axelsson and Lochlainn Kennedy allowed Crokes to lift the siege and send the ball downfield where Tom Curtin won possession before being fouled. Flannery once again bisected the posts to extend the margin to 3 points for Crokes. (1-13 to 2-8).

From the resultant puck out, Lucan needlessly charged into the back of Crokes sub Mark O'Meara before the sliothar reached him on the 45 on the right. Flannery stepped up to add the "insurance point" 5 minutes into injury time.!

(1-15 to 2-8)

As the Lucan goalie pucked out, referee Robert Moore sounded the final whistle much to the delight of the Crokes and desolation of the Lucan players.

For any spectators present, it was a great afternoon's hurling played with great intensity and honesty of effort by both sides. GIven that Crokes pipped Lucan in 2019 for the U12 Camaint Trophy and the U12 Division 1 League, any future matches between the sides are not to be missed!!

KIlmacud Crokes: L.Rohan,D.Linehan,L.Kennedy,J.Axelsson,R.Flannery,J.Ryan,R.Robertson,E.O'Donovan,T.Ambrose,C.O'Sullivan,C.Criostoir,M.O'Rafferty,E.Kenny,T.Curtin,R.MacNamara.

Subs: C.Coogan for L.Rohan,C.Kennedy for R.Robertson, B.Franklin for R.MacNamara, M.O'Meara for D.Linehan.

Scorers: R.Flannery 1-7 (all frees), C.Criostoir 0-5(2f), C.O’Suilleabháin 0-3.