Report Week Ending 29th May 2011

Dublin’s progress to the Leinster Hurling semi final and two wins from two AHL1 games marked the week.

At Croke Park on Sunday 29th May 2011 Dublin made it twenty one victories from thirty one Leinster Senior Hurling Championship clashes with Offaly when they came home on the right side of a 2-21 to 1-20 scoreline.  In doing so Dublin survived a nervous finish, having led by eight points midway through the second half after an excellent third quarter of hurling.  The pattern of the second period closely mirrored that of the first at the end of which Dublin led by just one point, 1-9 to 1-8.  Dublin got off to a dream start racking up 1-1 before the Faithful had time to draw breath and at one stage appeared to be cruising.  Crokes men, Niall Corcoran and Ryan O’Dwyer, both contributed strongly to the Dublin win.  For RTE report see HERE.  Dublin now meet the winners of Galway –v- Westmeath, most likely in Tullamore on 18th June.

The full complement of four points from two games during the week put the Crokes seniors back in league contention.  At Silverpark on Saturday 28th May 2011 they overcame St Brigids by 2-10 to 1-9 in AHL1.  Against the wind, Crokes gradually took control as the game progressed and at half time led 0-7 to 0-3.  As the second half moved on the visitors gained the ascendancy and with four minutes on the clock there was only a point between the sides.  The issue was decided when Sean McGrath, who accounted for 75% of the winners' scores, found the net to conclude scoring.  For report see HERE. 

On Wednesday evening 25th May 2011 they picked up an earlier brace of AHL1 points with a hard fought 2-12 to 1-13 victory over Crumlin at Pearse Park.  Playing against the strong wind Crokes were 2-4 to 0-7 in front at the interval and seemed to have the hard work done.  Five points to the opposition’s three in the first twenty minutes of the second installment confirmed the half way impression as did a good save by keeper Matt Collins.  The last ten minutes gave lie.  With six minutes on the clock Crumlin goaled and it was all to play for, 2-9 to 0-10 according to the referee.   From there to the fourth and final minute of injury time the sides swopped points on three occasions as Crokes held out.  For report see HERE

The simultaneous AHL3 game at Silverpark turned out much easier for the inters against a Parnell side which had been going well in the Junior championship.  Had the Coolock team converted two early goal opportunities the match might have been tighter.  As it was, once Crokes weathered the early storm only the margin (4-16 to 0-8 in the end) was in doubt.  Showing the way were Peter Clinton with 0-3, Conor Sheehan, Shane McNicholas, Brian Hanamy and Kieran Murphy who bagged 2-1.

AHL8 provided mixed results for the Juniors E’s.  On Thursday their trip to West Dublin proved profitable when they accounted for St Patrick’s Palmerstown by 0-10 to 0-9.  For report see HERE.  They followed this up on Sunday with a loss to Faughs in Silverpark notwithstanding the best efforts of Adrian Crean, Matthew Geraghty and James Byrne. 

Team (-v- Faughs):

P Tighe, R Egan, M Regan, C McIntyre, C O’Callaghan, A Crean, B Halpin, M Geraghty, N McIntyre, S O’Keeffe, N Martin, D Brennan, C Maher, J Byrne, A Colclough.  Subs:  R Egan for M Regan and E Campion for C Colclough.

Also on Sunday Ferbane/Belmont from Offaly were visitors to Silverpark for an under 12 challenge which the home side won well.

Squad:

Stephen Tuite, Barry MacGabhann, Michael Gibbons, Hugh Mulligan, Eoin Keating, Eoin Barr, Lorcan O’Connor, Tom Kehoe, David Cullen, James Dalton, Cathal O’Dwyer, Adam Cantwell, Niall Bezeci, Paul Buckley, Donal Crowley, Robert Kent, Aaron Murphy and Cathal O’Connor.

This followed on Saturday’s successful visit to Portmarnock where Naomh Mearnog were overcome by 4-6 to 2-2.  For report see HERE.  The under12 Division 4 Hurling League Round 3 match V St Brigids was cancelled at the request of St Brigids

It was not a good week for the Junior A’s in AHL5.  Tuesday 24th May 2011 saw them go down to Scoil Ui Chonaill at Clontarf Road.  There was a similar outcome to the visit of Cuala to Silverpark on Friday evening 27th May despite the best efforts of Richie Tighe, Paddy Igoe and David Stafford who, carrying an injury, came on at half time.  At that stage the hosts were just three points in arrears.  The concession of three goals in five minutes decided the tie.

The under 13A’s were also in action during the week going down by 3-13 to 5-4 against Ballyboden in Division 1 at Deerpark on Wednesday 25th May 2011.  Having played with the wind and incline in the first half Crokes trailed by three points at the break.

                                               Schools

Friday 27th May was a red letter day for Scoil San Treasa Mount Merrion with two Croke Park Cumann na mBunscoil final appearances - Corn Haughey –v- Scoil Aine Raheny and Sciath Marino –v- Scoil Lorcain, Monkstown.  Crokes was strongly represented on both occasions and well done to all concerned

On Wednesday 25th May Silverpark was the venue for a four team secondary schools tournament that featured a host of club players.  The tournament was won by St Josephs Rochfortbridge (Co Westmeath) who defeated Colaiste Eoin B, managed by Crokes senior Aodhan de Paor, in the Cup final.  Also taking part were St MacDaras College under guidance of Crokes and Dublin hurler Ryan O’Dwyer, and Gonzaga College.

Upcoming Fixtures

Always check with team management for late changes

                                           Nursery Hurling

Nursery Hurling is back and running in Glenalbyn. 

Contacts:   (U5/U6) Denis Egan (087-7922044), (U7) Declan Kane (087-2396094) (U8) Brian Harrison/John Maguire (087-9201743 / 087-6823264), Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Coach Niall Corcoran (087-9834287)