Minor A's beat Boden in MHL1

Minor A’s notch up second win

In what was only the second match of the season the minor A team had a solid win over keen rivals Ballyboden St. Endas at a cold but dry Silver Park. Crokes began with the aid of a strong breeze but opening exchanges were very evenly matched and both sides had a number of missed chances. The opening score wasn’t registered until the 12th minute, a free by Seán Keating and this was followed up by two well taken points by Mark O’Loughlin and Dara Ó Gallchobhair. Then came the decisive period in the match, when in the ten minutes before half-time Seán Keating scored three goals as result of great build-up play from the half-back line and by Ed Campion who had moved to the edge of the square with great effect. This left the half-time score at Crokes 3-05 against 0-03 for Ballyboden.

With a strong wind blowing right down the pitch Crokes knew they would have their work cut out to maintain their lead in the second half. So it proved as Ballyboden considerably upped their work-rate and threw everything at Crokes for the thirty minutes. Crokes admirably withstood the onslaught however with the defence playing particularly well as a unit. Though Ballyboden outscored their opponents 1-06 to 1-02 in the second period Crokes held out for hard-earned but thoroughly deserved victory, Crokes 4-07 Ballyboden 1-09.

With three more matches to play before the break for the exams the lads will need to maintain their concentration and seek to improve their ability to take scores with every game as they build towards reaching championship form.

Team: Tadhg Murphy, Mikey O’Dwyer, Donncha Ó Murchú, Cillian O’Shea, Peter Herlihy, Odhrán Ó Siochrú, Darragh Butler, Cian Mac Gabhann (0-02, 1f), Mark Macallion, Ed Campion (1-00), Dónall Keane, Ciarán McIntyre, Dara Ó Gallchobhair (0-01), Mark O’Loughlin (0-02), Seán Keating (3-02, 1f)

Subs: Ryan Conlon for Mark O’Loughlin.

Report by Joe Ó Murchú

Photos by Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair