Juniors keep the winning streak rolling

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With that in mind Crokes started very strongly going a point up straight from the throw in. With the wind at their backs Crokes capitalised on their great start with two early goals, one an own goal from the Wild Geese goalkeeper and the other a fine solo effort by Ian O’Keeffe. Within ten minutes Crokes were 2 – 3 to 0 – 1 in the lead. Confidence was running high throughout the team and Crokes were making executing some fine passes and playing very clever balls into a strong forward line up. The defence held their own limiting the opposition to frees. However given the nature of the refereeing this was keeping the opponents in the game. An excellent goal from half forward Mark Donnelly gave Crokes a 7 point margin at half time with the score at 3 – 8 to 1 - 4.

Crokes faced into a strong wind in the second half and found the going a little tougher as Wild Geese put up a spirited effort and continued to knock over some good points. However Crokes always looked comfortable and the management made numerous personnel changes looking to use the large squad of 21 players who had turned up for the game. Shane O’Keeffe in particular knocked over three well taken points on his weaker side to maintain the distance between the two sides. Wild Geese pulled another goal back towards the end, but it was too little too late as they paid the price for a string of costly wide’s. In contrast, the Crokes forward line who continued to make the most of limited opportunities.

In the end it finished 3 – 14 to 2 – 9 a comfortable 8 point victory for Crokes. Notable mentions on the day go to the midfield pairing of Padriag Doheney and Diarmuid Murphy as well as fine performances from Deaglan O’Donnaill at centre half back and Shane O’Keeffe at wing forward.

 

The team on the day in full was:

  1. Nick Canny
  2. Hugh Liston
  3. Sean McDermott
  4. Paul Byrne
  5. John Galvin
  6. Deaglan O’Donnaill
  7. Niall McIntyre
  8. Padraig Doheney
  9. Diarmuid Murphy
  10. Shane O’Keeffe
  11. Mark Donnelly
  12. Ger Kelly
  13. Ian O’Keeffe
  14. Barry Gavigan
  15. Fearghal O’Connor

Subs were:

Declan O'Dwyer for Mark Donnelly, Fran Saunders for Hugh Liston, Fred Meiyer for Fearghal O’Connor, Fred Fortune for Barry Gavigan

Scores came from:

Ian O’Keeffe 1 – 6 (2 from frees), Shane O’Keeffe 0 – 5, Mark Donnelly 1 – 0, Padraig Doheney, Diarmuid Murphy, Declan O'Dwyer one point each

Hurling.