U-14B's beat St. Pat's (1st April '06)

The Under-14B’s did themselves proud on Saturday 1st April with a well earned victory over St. Pat’s (Palmerstown) in difficult conditions at GlenaulinPark. Having won the toss, team captain Rory Gogarty elected to play with the strong wind. This turned out to be an excellent decision, as James Eastwood-Lyons hit the net twice within the first six minutes. Then a followed a succession of points from Justin Cassidy (7th min.), Paul Sheridan from a free (9th min.), James Eastwood Lyons (10th min.), Jamie Clinton (12th min.), Johnathan Healy-Hayes (13th min.) and Paul Sheridan from another free (15th min.) before Eastwood Lyons made it 2-7 to 0-0 after 19 minutes with another well-taken point. Even though the scoreboard looked lop-sided at this stage, it was clear that it would be much more difficult to score in the second period, such was the strength of the almost gale force wind. In fairness, there was no let up from the Crokes boys as Ciaran Sheehy sent a long ball to the net after 24 minutes and this was followed by further points from Johnathan and Jamie to leave the score 3-9 to 0-0 at the break. At half-time the team was reminded that things would be a lot more difficult in the second half, particularly as St. Pat’s had showed how dangerous they could be when they penetrated the middle of the Croke’s defence.

Just as Crokes had started with a flurry in the first half, so too did St. Pat’s in the second period. Within a minute of the re-start, the ball was in the Croke’s net. This was followed by a quick point, a goal and then another point to leave the score 3-9 to 2-2 after only ten minutes. For the first time serious questions were being asked of the Kilmacud boys and how well they responded. Sean Garvey (in goal) was well shielded by Brian McHenry, Rory Gogarty and the classy Conal O’Neill on the full-back line. Further out, Rob Crossan, Enda Grogan and Ciaran Sheehy dug deep as did Paul Sheridan at mid-field. Even though the Kilmacud forwards saw much less of the ball than in the first half, they had to keep their concentration in order to make the most of their opportunities. Rory Bourke played his heart out at left half-forward as did James Butler and James Eastwood Lyons in the two corners. Probably the most important score of the match was when Johnathan Healy-Hayes goaled after 43 minutes. This put a serious halt to St. Pat’s gallop. After St. Pat’s scored another point, Justin Cassidy raced through on the right and drilled a great point from 40 metres to leave the score 4-10 to 2-3 at the three-quarter stage. St Pat’s continued to pressurise the Kilmacud defence and with nine minutes remaining, the gap was reduced to five points. Once again, Crokes stepped up to the mark and Jamie sent a cracker to the net to seriously deflate St. Pat’s hopes. Two further points from Justin and a consolation goal from St. Pat’s left the final score 5-12 to 5-5 in favour of a very spirited Crokes team.

Kilmacud Crokes:- Sean Garvey; Brian McHenry, Rory Gogarty (Capt), Conal O’Neill; Robert Crossan, Enda Grogan, Ciaran Sheehy (1-0); Paul Sheridan (0-2f); Rory Bourke, Justin Cassidy (0-4), Jamie Clinton (1-2); James Butler, Johnathan Healy-Hayes (1-2), James Eastwood-Lyons (2-2).