Carlow Town Under 16 Tournament
A rain sodden early morning departure launched the Kilmacud Crokes under 16 hurlers on what proved to be a very beneficial trip to the annual Carlow Town Hurling club Tournament on Saturday 5th July 2008, the unofficial All-Ireland for the grade.
Crokes were in one of the four Division 1 Groups along with St Rynagh’s (Offaly), Adare (Limerick) and Athenry (Galway). Rain had rendered two of the Carlow venues unplayable but the main pitches were in good order and by the time of throw in for the first game the rain had mercifully ceased.
Crokes drew first blood and led 0-4 to 0-3 at the break (ten minutes a half). Notwithstanding the Offaly lads had the slight wind advantage the Kilmacud boys maintained the upper hand and finished 1-7 to 0-4 to the good.
Next up were Adare who had lost their opener by a goal to Athenry. An early goal finished to the net from a long sideline cut was enough to give Crokes a 1-0 to 0-2 margin at the short whistle. In the second half Adare gained the upper hand and three points put them two to the good. Crokes were not to be out done and two late frees resulted in a share of the points.
This set up the group decider against Athenry in the afternoon. This was a well contested game with Crokes right in it to the final minute when Athenry struck for a goal and a point to garner a 1-5 to 0-1 victory and a semi-final spot.
In the other groups Ballyboden St Endas, having defeated Tinnahinch (Laois) and Birr (Offaly) lost out to Turloughmore (Galway). The holders Dicksboro (Kilkenny), who beat Crokes in last year’s final, came through their group while the final group lay between Na Piarsaigh (Cork) and Kilmallock (Limerick) with the outcome unknown at the time of writing.
This was a tournament of high quality where the Crokes lads were well up to the mark. and we look forward to Summer action against country opposition and the resumption of Dublin competition in August. Many thanks to the organisers for their hospitality, to our players, management and travelling support.
Squad: Sean Garvey, Emmet Doherty, Sean Boyd, Niall Murphy, Oisin O’Carroll, Jude Sweeney, Dylan Mulligan, Enda Grogan, Mark O’Dwyer, Alex Pilkington, Fiachra Lynn, Karl Russell, Jamie Clinton, Jonathon Healy-Hayes, Nico Salvino, Darren Lawlor, Graham Fogarty, Kevin Murphy, Cian Delaney, Robert Murphy
Management: Martin O’Dwyer, Tom Curran and Peter Walsh. Special mention must also be made of the exemplary clubmanship shown and assistance given by Brian McHenry on the day.