Skerrie Finish in Latest B Movie …

The Minor B Hurlers gave an outstanding display in their latest foray to the edges of the county.  The clocks going forward and the early departure needed for this away match was a challenge in itself.  We were down to 15 and every player knew there would be no hiding place.

 

Played on Skerries Harps’ fine large pitch the Crokes registered the first score with a forceful point from Niall Carr in Centre Half-Forward position but as the 1st half progressed Foireann na Sceiri  imposed themselves well in the middle third of their home pitch.  They tacked on some fine long range points and also brought a super save from minder Herlihy.  The seasiders looked to have torpedoed Crokes intent of retaining their 100% league record.  In this period both Niall Hanley and Jack O’Brien were being pressured in the midfield but supplemented by a tenacious Donal Keane – the Crokes managed to get good sliothar into a dangerous inside forward line. As in early games they managed to poach 2 fine goals from CJ O Dwyer and Conor Byrne within five minutes.  These scores were created well and if Andy Cullinane’s wonderful double from 21 metres that pummeled the cross-bar had gone in the match might have been won by half-time.  The Half-Time interval left Crokes ahead 2-5 to Harps 0-8 – just a goal in it, all to play for.

 

Bereft of substitutions the Crokes lads knew they would have to battle for every ball.  The second half was characterized by resolute defence.   Centre-Half Back Daibhid Corish flanked by U16s Michael O’Dwyer and Ciaran Mc Intyre got the better of the threatening Harps half-forwards.  James Murphy dominated at full back and a speedy Oisin O’Carroll and resolute Mark Collins kept the inside line tied up.

 

Crokes critically got some hard earned scores from grafting in the half forward zone by Louis O’Sullivan and dynamo Keane.  Another grafted 65 allowed Niall Hanley to drop the ball into the square it spilled out and Conor J ODwyer doubled to put Crokes in command.  That heralded the nail biting finish where Skerries like Viking raiders of old sought to plunder the spoils.  Twice in the last five minutes they breached the southsiders’ defence with well taken goals.  At the end of a hard fought game the man in black,who had whistled to end this epic , confirmed a 1 point victory – Skerries Harps 2-12 Kilmacud Crokes 3-10

 

Kilmacud Crokes:

 

M Herlihy, M Collins, J Murphy, O O’Carroll, M O’Dwyer, D Corish, C McIntyre, N Hanley (Capt) (0-1), J O’Brien (0-2), D Keane, N Carr (0-2), L O’Sullivan, CJ O’Dwyer (2-3), C O’Byrne (1-0), A Cullinane (0-1.)