U12s on the Road again!

The U12s were on the road again on Saturday and competed in the Andy Egan Memorial Tournament in James Stephens. In the first game the 'Crokes lads proved too strong for a game Clara side containing several U10s and U11s. Final score was 'Crokes 5-4 Clara 1-3. Scorers : Conor O'Dwyer 1-2, Callum Pearson 2-0, Alex Considine 1-0, Stevie O'Dwyer 0-1, Adam Tuck 0-1, Feargal Whitely 1-0.

Next up was the host team James Stephens to decide who topped the group and potentially got the easier draw in the semi final. James Stephens opening the scoring with a pointed free before Callum Pearson finished to the net for 'Crokes after a good move. Alex Considine had been dispatched to centre back to marshall James Stephens danger man, Namul, and did a fine job throughout. The Village proved they are not a one man team and popped over a few nice points to keep in touch. In a game where scores were always hard to come by the Village scored a vital goal just before half time to go in 1-4 to 1-0 ahead. The exchanges were tough in the second half but again the home managed to take their scores easier and added 3 more within 10 minutes to go seven ahead. 'Crokes were never out of it and a good spell of pressure was rewarded with a great goal by Feargal Whitely, who had moved to the edge of the square. The same man almost repeated the trick straight after only to be denied by a desparing tackle. James Stephens added another point in injury time to win 1-8 to 2-0 but the 'Crokes lads all agreed that they could take them if the got them again.

St Martins from Wexford, who had topped the other group on score difference from Na Fianna, were the semi-final opponents. The Wexfordmen provided a stern test and defended wery well. Although we had 2 decent attempts at goal and one or 2 good point chances, the 'Crokes lads were kept scoreless in the first half. St Martins had just 3 points on the scoreboard so there was no need to panic. 'Crokes kept up the pressure and were rewarded by an excellent pieces of goal poaching by Conor O'Dwyer and a good point by Fiachra O'Connor. St Martins responded well and scored 2 fine points to retake the lead with 5 minutes left. Alex Considine finally shook off his marker and unleashed a powerful shot that was saved brilliantly only for O'Dwyer to bat the rebound to the net. With time running out St Martins forced a 21 yard free that was buried to put them a point ahead again. Despite massive pressure into the 2 minutes of injury time 'Crokes could not force the draw and had to be content with a place in the shield final. Final score St Martins 1-5 'Crokes 2-1.

In the shield final we came up against our great Dublin rivals, Na Fianna. Na Fianna got off to a flying start and scored an early goal to set the pulses racing. Two Conor O'Dwyer frees sandwiched a point from play by Fiachra O'Connor before Feargal Whitely goaled to settle the nerves. Na Fianna responded with 2 points from frees to leave the half time score 1-3 to 1-2 for 'Crokes. An early Conor O'Dwyer free followed by a goal from Alex Considine put 'Crokes in command in the second half. The Na Fianna fightback almost materialised and they were unlucky to have a goal disallowed for a tackle on Cillian Fleming in goal. After that it was all 'Crokes and 2 more goals from Conor O'Dwyer and points from Chris Kealy and Alex Considine sealed the victory on a scoreline of 4-6 to 1-2.

Best performers throughout the ay were Cillian Fleming in goal, Darragh Butler getting back to near his best after a long injury, Feargal Whitely at wing and corner forward and Conor O'Dwyer at corner forward.

Panel: Cillian Fleming, Stephen McEntee, Darragh Butler, Conor Kelly, Joe Doyle, Cathal Keane, Mark O'Rourke, Stevie O'Dwyer, Adam Tuck, Johnny Maher, Alex Considine, Feargal Whitely, Conor O'Dwyer, Callum Pearson, Mattie Hogan, Martin Connor, Chris Kealy, Fiachra O'Connor, Fiachra Tucker.

On Saturday the KC3 team competing in Div 4 of the Dublin league had a great win against St Finians in Swords on a scoreline of 6-3 to 3-3.