Minor A’s maintain unbeaten record

The minor A’s maintained their unbeaten run in the league after struggling to overcome a game Naomh Fionnbarra side at sunny Silver Park on Sunday morning.

The Cabra opposition arrived close to throw in time and alighted from their bus fully togged and ready to go. They certainly showed they meant business and had by far the better of the early exchanges. Crokes looked lethargic and unfocussed in comparison to their rivals and Naomh Fionnbarra went two points to one ahead after five minutes. A great goal from Donal Keane followed by a brace of points by Dara Ó Gallchobhair helped to steady the ship and, after a bruising first-half, Crokes went in at half-time leading by 1-04 to 0-03.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the second half it was expected that Crokes would build on their lead, but Naomh Fionnbarra really pulled out all the stops and drove up field repeatedly. They got to within two points of Crokes midway through the second half and but for some stout defending and a great performance by Odhrán Ó Siochrú at centre-back the home team could well have found themselves behind coming into the final quarter. Tenacious work in the forwards by Donal Keane, whose shot at goal was saved and parried to the net by Ronan Horgan, lifted the siege. Further points from play and a free saw the victory secured.

This was a performance best forgotten and the lads know a massive improvement will be needed if they are to overcome Na Fianna in two weeks time and build the necessary momentum to put in a serious challenge for the championship.

Team: Tadhg Murphy, Mikey O’Dwyer, Donncha Ó Murchú, Cillian O’Shea, Kevin Ó Flannagáin, Odhrán Ó Siochrú, Ciarán McIntyre, Ronan Horgan (1-00), Mark Macallion, Ed Campion, Éamon Allen, Mark O’Loughlin (0-03, 2f), Dara Ó Gallchobhair (0-03) Dónal Keane (1-01), Paul Comerford.

Subs: Barney Sultan for Kevin Ó Flannagáin, Seán Crowe for Ed Campion (inj,) Shane Veale for Ronan Horgan, Ruairí Geraghty for Paul Comerford.

Report by Joe Ó Murchú

Photos by Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair