Seniors overcome Craobh Chiarain in 2nd round of Championship

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It was dark and damp as Crokes took to the pitch to play their 2nd instalment of the 2012 Senior Hurling Championship.  Playing against a Craobh Chiarain side short of their scoring talisman Alan McCrabbe through injury, Crokes hoped to improve on their last Championship outing, when they narrowly overcame St Pats.  

It was Chiarain’s who started the brighter when they opened up the scoring straight from the throw in, however, Croke’s hit back immediately with a point from Ryan, followed up by a point from Ross, a converted free from Kevin and another point from Ryan roving from full forward.  The Croke’s backs were solid and rebuffed attack after attack and limited Chiarain’s to just one other point in the opening half, while added a Ryan goal, a good point from Naomhan and a marvellous point from Ross out on the wing.  When the half time whistle sounded, Crokes led by 7 points with a score of 1-06 to 0-02 and despite the heavy conditions, Croke’s were playing with a fluidity they did not show against St Pats. 

The second half started off a tighter affair than the first, both sides exchanging three points each, one from Seanie and two from Ross were the Croke’s contributors.  Then a two goal burst from Croke’s killed off the game as a contest.  The first came from a long free in from Matt, Ryan under it, swing his hurl as it fell and the ball sneaked over the line and much to Matt’s chagrin, Ryan raised his arms claiming his 2nd goal of the game.  Three minutes later Conor won the ball in the corner and leaving his man for dead riffled the ball into the back of the net.  Croke’s added another two points from Ross and Conor to complete a good day for the forwards.  During this period, despite Chiarain’s bombarding the Croke’s square, the backs contained these attacks and limited them to a further 3 points.  At the final whistle Crokes held a winning twelve point margin with a final score of 3-11 to 0-08.  

Overall, it was a much better team performance than the last day, the backs were disciplined and solid through out, the forwards played with flair and it leaves Croke’s at the top of the group with the last group game against neighbours Ballinteer St Johns due in two weeks.  St John’s were narrowly beaten by St Pats the previous night.  A special mention and thanks for Seamie, who was making his debut as Sean Allen’s apprentice on the night! 

Scores: - Ryan (1.01) (2-01), Ross (0-06), Conor (1-01), Kevin (0-01, 1f), Nev (0-1), Sean (0-01), Matt (1-00)

Team: - Matt Collins, Bill O’Carroll, Niall Corcoran, Gary McMorrow, Jack Doughan, Rory O’Carroll, Robert O’Loughlin, Naomhan O’Riordan, Dillon Mulligan, Ross O’Carroll, Damien Kelly, Jude Sweeney, Kevin O’Loughlin, Ryan O’Dwyer, Sean McGrath  Subs: - James Burke for Jude Sweeney, Barry O’Rourke for Kevin O’Loughlin, Conor Clinton for Naomhan O’Riordan.  Unused Subs: - Aodhan dePaor, Alex Pilkington, Barra O’Leighin, Declan Browne, Sean Garvey.

You can view images of the match by clicking on the photo below, or by clickng HERE

 

You can also read an updated report of the Seniors' 1st championship match against St Pat's by clicking HERE.

 

 

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