Senior ‘B’ Hurler’s dig deep to beat Castleknock in League

Kilmacud Crokes Senior ‘B’ Hurlers had to come from behind under very difficult playing conditions to overcome a dogged Castleknock at Silverpark last Sunday. An early free by the visitors was counteracted by a Crokes’ point, courtesy of Alex Hatt after six minutes. Playing against a strong and blustery cross-field wind, Crokes received a great boost after eleven minutes when Barry Horan steered home a close-range goal to leave the home team ahead 1-1 to 0-1. Between then and half-time the Crokes defence did very well to ensure Castleknock scored only five points. In this regard, special mention must be made of a Sean Garvey save when an unmarked Castleknock forward ran straight on goal only to be thwarted by Sean at point blank range. At half-time, Castleknock lead by 0-6 to Crokes’ 1-1.

On the resumption, Crokes cut the deficit to a point when Alex Hatt scored an excellent point. However, Castleknock seemed to cope better during a sleet blizzard and added the next two points to lead 0-8 to 1-2 after 42 minutes. Two well-taken frees by Eddie Gibbons reduced the gap to the minimum with thirteen minutes to go. Even though Castleknock scored a good point, Crokes’ forwards came more into play and showed great determination in winning possession. More often than not, this forced Castleknock defenders to concede frees and Eddie Gibbons duly obliged by converting three in a row to leave the home team 1-7 to 0-9 ahead with four minutes remaining. Eddie added an excellent point from play before converting another free after Alex Hyatt was fouled near the finish. The match ended on a final score of Kilmacud Crokes 1-9 Castleknock 0-9.

Well done again to this gutsy team, who not only beat Castleknock but also the very trying conditions.

Kilmacud Crokes:- Sean Garvey; Eoin Sheehy, Mark Lynskey, Rory O’Carroll; Paul Comerford, Mark O’Loughlin, Cian Ryan; Lorcan McMullen, Eddie O’Byrne; Dara Ó Gallchobhair, Barry Horan (1-0), Colum Ó Sé; Alex Hatt (0-2), Eddie Gibbons (0-7, 0-6f), Aaron O’Toole.

Subs:- Stephen McEntee for Lorcan McMullen (45 mins)