Kilmacud Crokes U16A & B Hurlers Win The “Double Champo” In 2023!
(Match reports by Diarmuid Coogan, Photo Credit: U16B – Peter Axelsson )
On Saturday 2nd December, Kilmacud Crokes U16’s carried off a remarkable double with their A & B teams winning the Dublin A and D Championships respectively!
Here’s how it unfolded:
Dublin U16 D Championship Final
Kilmacud Crokes U16B overcame the disappointment of losing their Feile Final in 2022 with a convincing win over a skilful St.Vincent’s team. Crokes began the match in determined fashion when wing forward Hugh Leahy struck a lovely point from 50 metres almost straight from the throw in. A minute later, Leahy sent a speculative shot in from the left was somewhat lucky to see it drop under the crossbar into the net!! (KC 1‑1 St.V 0)
Vincent’s then got off the mark with a point before Crokes’ midfielder Joe Tuliani sent a long ball into the square where full forward Oisín “Buzzo” Gormley displayed his goal poacher’s instinct to kick it over the line! (“Buzzo” had now scored at least one goal in every champo game!) (KC 2‑1 St.V 0‑1)
Vincent’s hit back quickly however and following a failure by the Crokes defence to deal with a long ball, corner forward Sam Doyle rifled it into the net to bring his side into the match. (KC 2‑1 St.V 1‑1)
In the 8th minute, Crokes’ goalie Mark Beggins sent a long free down to the right of the goals and corner forward Liam Healy showed great skill to “jab lift” and quickly strike over despite the efforts of several defenders trying to block him. (KC 2‑2 St.V 1‑1).
Vins’ skilful midfielder Kyle O’Sullivan pulled one back before Crokes’s centre back Davin Tighe weighed in with a “monster point” from ½ way! Vins’ full forward Senan Ryan replied before Crokes finished the ½ with pointed frees from captain Conor Mullin and Beggins. Crokes had anxious moments just before the break when Beggins had to make 2 successive saves on both sides of his goal.
Half-Time KC 2-5 St.V 1-3
With the advantage of the slight hill, Vins’ were 1st out of the traps with a free from O’Sullivan.
Then Crokes produced the move of the match which set them firmly on course for victory; stalwart wing back Cian Cooper “plucked” a ball out of the air before sending it forwards to sub Dara Crean who gave a very clever pass to Leahy in space – Leahy struck for the posts but the goalie batted it out left to “Buzzo” who quickly got the ball into his hand, evaded a defender and buried it in the right corner. (KC 3‑5 St.V 1‑4)
From here, Crokes looked the likely winners and for the next 10 minutes of the half they kept the score board ticking with 4 frees from Mullin and a great effort from Tuliani. (KC 3‑10 St.V 1‑4)
Vin’s got a glimmer of hope in the 55th minute with a goal and could have given Crokes a nervous last few minutes only for 2 more great saves from Beggins. Then with time almost up, the “Buzzo Gormley” completed a memorable hattrick and put the icing on the cake for his team.
Crokes: M.Beggins, S.ÓMaonaigh, R.Gargan, C.Foley, PJ.Phelan, D.Tighe, C.Cooper, J.Axelsson, J.Tuliani, G.King, C.Mullin(Capt), H.Leahy, E.Lynch, O.Gormley, L.Healy.
Subs: D.Crean -> E.Lynch, B.Franklin -> L.Healy, J.Flynn, M.Lohan, A.Faughnan, S.Canny.
Scorers: O.Gormley 3‑0, H.Leahy 1-1, C.Mullin 0‑5 (all frees), L.Healy, D.Tighe, M.Beggins, J.Tuliani (0‑1 each).
Dúirt Siad
County Board Official Danny Harrington presented the cup and medals and paid tribute to the efforts of both sides. While he mentioned some great performances on each team, he awarded “Laoch na hImeartha” to Mark Beggins, not only for his great saves but also for his excellent distribution of the ball throughout the game.
Crokes Ard Bainisteoir Eoin Healy: “I'm delighted the team got the rewards for the huge effort they put in this year, today's result reflects the huge improvement in play they have achieved all season, it was a real squad, everyone played their part over the year, and it's a fitting way for the team to finish their proud juvenile careers.”
Later that day, in Ballyboden…
Dublin U16 A Championship Final
Local rivals Crokes & Ballyboden played out a very competitive and intense U16 final in Ballyboden watched by a large crowd.
Crokes emerged victorious, helped in a large part by their very solid defence but also by their greater spread of scorers.
The opening quarter was “nip and tuck” with Crokes’ leading 0‑5 to 0‑3 thanks to points from centre back Finnian Donohoe (0‑2, 1f), and forwards Conall Criostoir, Connie O’Sullivan & Ryan Crowley. They finished the ½ strongly however with a huge free by Donohoe, an inspirational point from the free running midfielder Rian Roberston and a great move where centre forward Rory Óg Flannery played a ball into the right corner where Crowley quickly fed Criostoir who hit a lovely point to leave his side 5 pts up at the break. (KC 0‑8 BSE 0‑3)
2nd Half
The colourful language emanating from the Crokes’ dressing room indicated that they weren’t happy with the 1st half performance! After excellent Boden centre back James Norris pulled 2 back with frees, Crokes really took control of the game and Criostoir hit 2 points before Flannery added another following an excellent piece of “dirty ball” winning by Robertson. (KC 0‑11 BSE 0‑6)
Then a long ball was played into Criostoir who initially lost possession but regained it and showed great determination to get by 2 defenders before unleashing a shot which gave goalie Marc Hayes no chance. (KC 1‑11 BSE 0‑6)
Crokes were in complete control at this point (10 minutes into the 2nd half) and should have extended their lead but instead of playing quick ball into the forward line, they started indulging in “solo’s” and short passes in the middle of the pitch which resulted in several turnovers. Unfortunately, Norris latched onto one of these turnovers and drove through the heart of the Crokes defence before sending an unstoppable shot into the top right corner. (KC 1‑11 BSE 1‑6)
Norris followed up with a free from ½ way before Connie O’Sullivan settled Crokes nerves with a great point from the left (their 1st score in 10 minutes!) However Norris came up with another free from 80 metres before O’Sullivan struck another, this time from the right. (KC 1‑13 BSE 1‑8)
With the game in the melting pot, Crokes had an anxious moment as goalie Conor Coogan was hit late after clearing a ball and needed attention before eventually getting up!.
Corner forward Jack McIntyre hit another point from the right. Then Crokes sub forwards Ronan McNamara and Eamon Kenny combined well and Kenny drew a free from the Boden defence which Criostoir despatched to restore the 5 point lead with about 7 minutes to play.
The home side were not for giving up and Norris and lion hearted forward Fiachra Codd scored in succession to make it a 3 point game with Crokes beginning to look nervous. (KC 1‑14 BSE 1‑11)
Coogan pucked out to the left where he found dynamic midfielder Eoghan O’Donovan in space. O’Donovan cleverly played a quick ball into Flannery on the left of square and he turned quickly and buried it in the bottom right corner, much to the joy of his teammates. (KC 2‑14 BSE 1‑11)
Time was nearly up but referee Tom Tansey played 8 minutes of injury time during which Boden “threw the sink” at Crokes. The Crokes’ defence, in which full back and captain James Ryan was immense, stood firm. Corner backs Daithí Linehan and Conor Kennedy defended tigerishly while the half back line of Thomas Ambrose, Donohoe and Fintan Lydon were very assured throughout. Boden were having to go for goals and only managed one point which was followed by a huge effort by Lydon and then the final whistle sounded. (KC 2‑15 BSE 1‑12)
Crokes: C.Coogan, D.Linehan, J.Ryan(Capt), C.Kennedy, T.Ambrose, F.Donohoe, F.Lydon, E.O’Donovan, R.Robertson, A.Blanker, R.Flannery, C.O’Sullivan, R.Crowley, C.Criostoir, C.Moriarty.
Subs: E.Kenny -> R.Crowley, R.McNamara -> C.Moriarty, C.Buckley -> A.Blanker, H.Brosnan, L.Kennedy, J.Sherry.
Crokes scorers: C.Criostoir 1‑6(2f), R.Flannery 1‑1, F.Donohoe 0‑3(2f), C.O’Sullivan 0‑3, R.Crowley, F.Lydon 0‑1.
Dúirt sé
Croke Ard Bainisteoir Ros Criostoir: “We were delighted with the way our lads performed today, given that we knew and respected the huge challenge that Ballyboden would present on their home ground. There was a steely determination in the group that was impressive as the long drawn out nature of the championship could have allowed the focus to waver. This is a group of players with a combination of huge ambition, trust in each other and hard work, with skills honed over long hours. They got their reward on Saturday.....I hope that many will go on to become fine minor and senior hurlers in time. We are very proud of them all.”
