U12's trip to Cork-27/28th June 2009

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Saturday

20 kids and 7 adults set off bright and early on Saturday morning to compete in the Abie Allen Memorial U12's tournament in Na Piarsaigh on the north side of Cork city

Blessed with fabulous weather we were drawn in a group with Sarsfields (Glanmire) and Charleville. We struggled against 2 strong and skillful teams but managed to keep oursleves in both games through gritty determination and despite sustaining injuries to Stevie O'Dwyer (hamstring) and Johnny Maher (who later bravely shrugged off a nasty belt to the finger to re-take his place). Playing Roscarberry for 5th place in the tournament Crokes were in control from the off and ended up comfortable winners. Charleville reached the competition final but ultimately could not live with the host club; Na Piarsaigh ending up deserved winners by a wide margin

We left Na Piarsaigh and travelled on to Midleton…and our friendly hosts in the An Stor hostel who fed and watered us handsomely. Our logistics manager Eamon then took us on a scenic tour of East Cork before depositing us on a beach near Ballycotton where the kids enjoyed a late evening swim in the surprisingly warm water. Later we stopped off in Cloyne and in a spirit of sporting ecuminism (and reflecting the fading light) we played some midnight cricket in the fading shadow of the statue of Christy Ring

Sunday

Having evaded Na Piarsaigh in the tournament we returned on Sunday morning to lock horns. Given the exertions of the previous day and night a surprisingly tenacious Crokes team put up a very spirited display and were neck and neck with their hosts up till the last 10 minutes when fatigue set in.

Lunch in the very welcoming Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on the way home capped off a fine weekend

Congratulations to the boys who throughout the weekend were a credit to themselevs, their parents and their club

Many thanks to our hosts in Na Piarsaigh and the mentors/parents who travelled

Squad:Cillian Fleming, Stephen McEntee, Chris Kealy, Conor Kelly, Cathal Keane, Oisin Doherty, Conor O'Dwyer, Eoin Sheehy, Stevie O'Dwyer, Joe Doyle, Johnny Maher, Alex Considine, Feargal Whitely, Adam Tuck, Calum Pearson, Martin Connor, Aidan Healy, Joey Dalton, Sean Gorman, Killian Lannigan

Adults:Collie Maher, Tony Fleming, Paul Gorman, Dermot Connor, Gerry French, Michael Whitely, Eamon O'Dwyer
Hurling.