Report for week ending 4 March 2007

Three championship winning teams feted, senior campaign gets off to a good start, under 12’s hit road to Belfast and club stalwart honoured – the principal features of a weather affected but still busy weekend.  On top of this work continues apace on the Hurling Arena in Glanalbyn and Punchestown preparations hot up.

High point of the weekend was the medal presentation in Glenalbyn for our victorious 2006 under 15A, under 16A and minor B teams on Saturday night 3rd march 2007.  

All three teams won their championships.  For good measure the under 15 and under 16’s also won their leagues.  Over 180 people sat down to a gala meal where the presentations were made by senior hurlers Aodhan de Paor, Ross O’Carroll and Shane O’Rorke.  Paying tribute to all concerned Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Chairman, Tom Barry, reminding the players that a new season was upon us and the ultimate goal of every one of them should be to play adult hurling with the club.  During the evening sympathy was extended to under 15 manager Pat Halpin and player Brendan on the passing of their mother-in-law and grandmother, Oonagh Higgins.

The occasion was also noteworthy for the presentation of a Testimonial from Coiste Seana Ghael to long serving clubman Mick Hynes in recognition of his years of dedicated service which have seen him serve the club in many capacities including a period as chairman of Kilmacud Crokes Hurling.  In 2006 Mick was a selector with the under 16 team and hopes to do even better this year as both manager of the Intermediate Hurling team and selector with the under 14’s, managed by his son Ciaran.

Saturday afternoon in Silverpark saw the senior hurlers dispose of the Ballyboden challenge in the opening round of the Boland Cup.  Crokes turned in a good first half performance against the breeze to lead 0-10 to 0-5 with the point taking of full forward Ross O’Carroll particularly impressive.  The home side were slow to start the second half and it took fifteen minutes to open the account during which time Ballyboden had narrowed the gap to three.  From then on Crokes had the better of exchanges and ran out 0-17 to 0-12 winners.

Team:

MacDara O’hÓgáin, Adrain Grogan, Fergus Garvey, Niall Lillis, Declan Browne, Daibhí de Paor, Eoin de Paor, Hugh Gannon, Fergal Armstrong, Shane O’Rorke, James Burke, Donal McGovern, Brian Motherway, Ross O’Carroll, Eoin Roche.  Subs: Mick Dalton fro Ross O’Carroll, Paul Graham for MacDara O’hÓgain (inj), Kieran Murphy for Niall Lillis, Cathal Brugha for Eoin de Paor, Tomas Donohue for Brian Motherway, Ray Mangan and Fergus Monnelly.

On Sunday the under 12’s took thirty players to Belfast where they were hosted by O’Donovan Rossa.  A competitive game was followed by refreshments from our gracious hosts to whom we are very thankful.  Unfortunately the Dublin –v- Antrim National Hurling League game fell victim to the weather and meant an earlier return than anticipated but the group was still glad of their first excursion of the year.

At Loreto Park on Saturday the under 14’s played Ballinteer St John’s in the opening game of the league.  With two minutes to go to half time, after a good first half display against the wind, Crokes led 0-8 to 0-3.  The concession of a goal from distance reduced the gap to two.  Crokes seemed to hold their own for the first five minutes of the second half during which they got what turned out to be their only score of the half.  From then on it was downhill, despite good showings from Oisin O’Carroll, John Huban and Justin Cassidy, with the final scoreline 2-11 to 0-9 in favour of the home team.

Squad:

Paddy Tighe, Oisin O’Carroll, Jack O’Brien, Darragh Daly, Conall O’Neill, John Huban, Shane Moran, Alex Pilkington, Barry O’Farrell, Jamie Clinton, Justin Cassidy, Ken Kelly, Niall Carr, Emmet Doherty, Andrew Cullinane, Fionan Motherway, Caolan Murphy, Keith Finn, Ciaran MacGabhann and Niall Hanley

Saturday also saw the seasonal start of outdoor nursery activity at Glenalbyn. This continues every Saturday at 10.00 am for children born 1999 or later.  Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net.  Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery.  No hurling experience necessary!

The annual Kilmacud Crokes on Tour trip to Kilkenny is scheduled for Sunday 1st April next.  This is a bumper day out for our young hurlers (under 11 downwards) and not to be missed.  Further details are available from Denis Gorey 087-2393625 and goreys@clubi.ie .

Work continues apace on our new Hurling Arena in Glenalbyn.  This €500,000 project will be a huge addition to hurling in the club and is entirely funded by the Hurling Section.  Our fourth annual Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Corporate Race Day takes place in Punchestown on Tuesday 24th April.  The event has gone from success to success and if you are in any way in a position to influence your company’s entertainment spend at €1,760 for a table of ten you won’t find better value or quality.  Please contact Brian Geraghty, Hurling Section, Commercial Officer, 087-2312378 and brianpgeraghty@eircom.net.  Donations or spot prizes also very welcome.