2006 - End of Year Review
During 2006 there were many Kilmacud Crokes Hurling highlights, on and off the field:
Three Championship Titles
Championship and league doubles were achieved by our under 15A’s and under 16A’s while our second minor team won the minor C championship. All other underage teams, A and B, made at least their championship semi-final.
Three All-Ireland Medals
Three Kilmacud Crokes players were on the Dublin Colleges panel that won the Colleges All-Ireland, Ross O'Carroll, Andrew Hopkins and Shane O’Rorke.
Adult Teams Narrowly Pipped
Our three leading adult teams went very close to championship success. The seniors lost to the eventual county champions through a goal four minutes into injury time in the quarter-final. The Intermediates were denied at least a final place by the misattribution of one of their scores to the opposition in their semi-final while the Junior B’s lost their championship semi-final after extra time in a replay.
Work Begins on €500,000 Hurling Arena
One of the Hurling Section's major initiatives is now at last becoming a reality. Construction on this €500,000 project is well underway with completion expected in March 2007. The Arena will be of huge benefit in developing the skills of hurlers, particularly our young hurlers. To keep an eye on progress click HERE
Corporate Race Day at Punchestown National Hunt Festival
This event goes from strength to strength with over 1000 people in attendance and everyone having an extremely enjoyable day out.
If 2006 is anything to go by the forthcoming 2007 event on 24th April should be something to really look forward to. Please note the date in your diary now. Contact: Brian Geraghty 087-2312378 brianpgeraghty@eircom.net
If you weren't there this year, ask anyone who was, and you will get a ringing endorsement of the event both as a fun day and in particular an inspiring way to entertain clients in the highly impressive Punchestown Event Centre.
If you're in a position to influence your company's entertainment ‘spend’ please give serious consideration to using this event, particularly if your clients are racing fans. All proceeds go towards the Hurling Development Fund.
AIB Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens Festival
The AIB Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens was another outstanding success on the Saturday before the All-Ireland Hurling Final with huge crowds, live television coverage and hurling of a particularly high quality. Continuing the trend of recent years, winners, Erins Own, went on to win their local Cork senior championship. The festival continues to grow as a Mecca for hurling fans from all over the country to start off the All-Ireland Hurling Final weekend.
Summer Hurling and Taking to the Road
Hurling is a summer game and the Kilmacud Crokes Hurling programme to ensure our teams continue to play and develop during the best hurling weather has been an outstanding success. It is now the norm that our teams seek out and play quality country opposition. In 2006 our young teams participated in games and tournaments all over the country frequently returning with silverware. Hitting the road requires a commitment over and above the ordinary but if we want to be a club rubbing shoulders with the best, not only do we have to continue the trend, we have to build and expand on it
Kilmacud Crokes on Tour
This is now an annual highlight for our young hurlers. In March, five busloads carrying 250 children from under-11 down along with 60 parents travelled to Kilkenny for challenge games against local clubs. They went on to the Kilkenny -v- Antrim National Hurling League match in Nowlan Park and then to a meal in Langtons where they met several of the Kilkenny players. All this for just €20!
Meeting Famous Hurling Names
For many youngsters meeting and being coached 'in the flesh' by famous players is a huge thrill. Among those who gave of their time during the year were Donal Og Cusack (Cork goalkeeper), Martin Comerford (Kilkenny), James McGarry (Kilkenny), Seán Óg O’hAilpín (Cork), Tom Kenny (Cork), Kieran Murphy (Cork) and Colin Morrissey (Tipperary).
Website, Text & Email Bulletins
The Kilmacud Crokes Hurling website (www.kilmacudcrokes.com/hurling) has received very favourable comment and is increasingly accessed by people who wish to keep up with the latest club news. Pay it a visit if you have not done so already. Contributions to the website are always welcomed and encouraged. If you would like to contribute, please contact our Communications Officer Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair 086-2473998 and diarmuidog@hotmail.com, or info@kilmacudcrokes-hurling.com
The text service and email bulletins continue to be great sources of news. For information on the email bulletin please email martin.keane@heissmann.ie. To subscribe to the text service text:
* if you are a Meteor or O2 customer, text SUB KCHURLING to 086 6004285
* if you are a Vodafone customer, text SUB KCHURLING to 51745
Nursery Hurling
The nursery remains the key to the future. Numbers are now at a record level. Summer activity takes place in Glenalbyn and Oatlands while 2007 winter indoor hurling will resume in January at Oatlands College Sports Hall. Keep an eye on the Hurling Section calendar HERE for up-to-date details. From then to March this continues as follows
9 am Born 2001 or later
10 am Born 2000
11 am Born 1999
Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net. Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery. No hurling experience necessary!
There was much else besides in an action packed 2006 and our thanks to all those who participated or supported Kilmacud Crokes Hurling in any way.
BE PART OF IT!
Kilmacud Crokes Hurling has a policy of continuing to attract new people and talent.
With over 20 teams and nearly 500 stakeholders we can use any skill you might have and need your active input. Don't be shy. A hurling background is not a prerequisite. From IT people, to first aid/medical personnel, to archivists, to copywriters, to photographers/video operators and to any other skill you care to mention good men and women are always needed. If you have something to contribute to your club and your community we want to hear from you. Don’t leave it to others. Further information from info@kilmacudcrokes-hurling.com or Tony Fleming, Recruitment Officer 087-8061023 and tony.fleming@ngrid.ie
Special Request for Mentors for Juvenile teams:
We have made great strides in only a few years promoting hurling among our younger players with our All-Ireland Feile na nGael win in 2005 being a huge boost. Juvenile numbers have trebled over a short few years leaving us with a shortage of mentors. We are appealing particularly to two categories of people to get involved in 2007:
- Current or former players with Crokes or any club who wish to repay the fun and enjoyment they obtained from the game, and
- Parents, male and female, of young players. Some of our best mentors have no experience of hurling but enthusiasm can go a long way and we provide courses for mentors.
Contact Colm Maher, Games Officer, 087-2755074 and colm.maher@citigroup.com
Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Officers 2007
For a full list of Hurling Section Officers and Committee members click HERE
Lá Fhéile Stiofáin
Don’t forget Married V Singles match on St Stephens Day @11am in Glenalbyn! Club bar (Kilmac's) ar oscailt go dtí 3pm.
Beannachtaí na Nollag agus gach dea-ghuí i gcomhair na h-athbhliana