Second Hurling Championship in 2006
Championship number two and another final reached. That tells the story of Kilmacud Crokes Hurling for Sunday 5th November 2006.
Under 15A's triumph over Naomh Fionbarra in Championship Final
In O’Toole Park our under 15’s were crowned Dublin A Champions after a tough struggle against Naomh Fionbarra. This is now to be added to the under 16A title gained two weeks ago and, sitting on top of the national 2005 Feile win, augurs well for the future.
First half dominance saw Crokes 0-06 to 0-01 ahead at the interval. However missed chances and the Cabra lads refusal to give in left the more sanguine among the Kilmacud support nervous. Their apprehension seemed well justified when after 46 minutes Finbarrs goaled to leave the minimum between the sides with Crokes not having raised a flag in the second half. A timely point from Killian Doherty settled the nerves and Sean McGrath’s great 56th minute point put a goal between the sides. Within a minute hackles were really raised when Finbarrs goaled again. A moment later a Mark O’Dwyer point offered relief but a minute on the sides were level when Finbarrs pointed from a 65. Frayed nerve ends were tested to the extreme when what looked like a great Matthew Kinsella clearance inexplicably gave rise to a free in front of goal for Finbarrs, 55 metres out. Fortunately from the Kilmacud point of view this was missed and into injury time Jamie O’Sullivan sent over the winner from a 50 metre free. What can truly be described as a nerve jangling game saw Crokes deservedly emerge victorious. When character and gumption was called for Crokes had many stars not least of whom were Jack Doughan, Jack Kelly, Bill O’Carroll, Alan Carr, Matthew Kinsella and Sean McGrath. Great credit must also go to the management team of Pat Halpin, Daibhi de Paor, Tom Murphy and Gearoid O’Riain.
Minors Semi final action
Meanwhile our minor A’s and B’s were in semi-final action. The B’s had a great 2-00 to 0-04 win away to Naomh Mearnog. Level 0-03 each at half time Crokes dominated the second half with sterling performances from, man of the match, Paddy Igoe, Shane McNicholas, Niall Mulligan, Brian Sheehan (returning from illness), Eoin McGowan and Brian Mahon. This pits them against St Sylvesters in the championship final, most likely on 19th November. The A’s despite putting up a great performance were less successful going down to Na Fianna by two points at Moibhi Road, 1-11 to 2-06 with Rory O’Carroll, Ronan Walsh, Fergus Monnelly and Kevin Dalton starring. Again our thanks to the dedicated management team of Richard Stakelum, Billy Noctor, Tom Rock and Mick Carolan who put in a long year that yielded considerably more than we might have expected at the outset.
Down the ages our under 11’s hosted Mount Sion from Waterford and emerged winners by 4-6 to 3-1 with a great second half performance in Deerpark. At the same time on the Glenalbyn all weather surface their under 8 counterparts accounted for the Waterford visitors who were en route to the international rules game at Croke Park.
Indoor Nursery
Sunday also saw the seasonal start of the indoor nursery at Oatlands College. From now to March this continues as follows
9 am Born 2001 or later
10 am Born 2000
11 am Born 1999
Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net. Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery. No hurling experience necessary!