Junior 5's lose out to Faughs

A narrow defeat was the Crokes Junior 5 hurlers lot in an exciting championship clash against Faughs on Wednesday 11th April 2007 at Tymon North.  In hindsight the first twenty minutes proved very costly with the home team notching up 2-2 before Barry Gavigan brought Crokes back into the game in the 23rd minute, sending a fine 20 metre shot to the net after a good passing movement involving several Kilmacud players.  Gerald Kelly added a point shortly after to finish the first half scoring with Crokes trailing 2-2 to 1-1.

Fran Saunders marked the Crokes’ intent when he rifled over within a minute of the resumption.  Faughs struck back with three points before Ian O’Keeffe raised a white flag for Crokes from a 45 metre free.  When Barry Gavigan sent a sweet double to the net in the forty fourth minute it was game on in earnest and Padraig Doheny’s point two minutes later confirmed the fact.  A Faughs’ minor kept their noses in front in the forty seventh minute.  Two minutes further on a Billy Noctor pile driver from a twenty metre free hit the crossbar for the rebound to be sent over by Richie Grant.  It was now end to end stuff with the Kilmacud team piling on the pressure.  Unfortunately the scores refused to come and Faughs were able to break for two points without reply giving them a somewhat fortunate 2-8 to 2-5 margin at the conclusion.

On a night when Crokes had many stars, in particular an outstanding defensive sextet, special mention has to be made of goalkeeper Billy Noctor whose superb saves in the 17th, 38th and 54th minutes kept his side in the game.  Also to the fore were midfielder Deaglain O’Donnaill, centre forward Barry Gavigan and wing forward Ian O’Keeffe.  On this form Crokes have every reason to be optimistic for the further championship challenges ahead.