U14B's v Kevins, C Championship Final
Close but not close enough. That was the story for the Kilmacud Crokes under 14B hurlers in the Dublin County C Championship Final played at Silverpark on Saturday 14th October 2006 against Kevins.
The visitors were first out of traps with a point on four minutes. Within three minutes Crokes were one ahead thanks to points from James Lyons and Jonathon Healy-Hayes (free). Over the next eight minutes Crokes had a few opportunities to extend the lead but were narrowly wide. On the quarter hour Kevins struck for a goal and followed with a point a minute later before a James Lyons goal brought the home side back on level terms. A Kevins goal and point followed before Healy- Hayes sent a 20 metre free to the net and pointed another placed ball to restore parity. Kevins pointed again before Healy-Hayes again levelled from a free to leave the sides 2-4 each at half time.
On the restart goalkeeper Conall O’Neill was immediately called on to clear his lines as Kevins piled on the pressure. They were rewarded with an unanswered 2-3 by the 37th minute in what proved to be the decisive period in the game. To their credit the Crokes lads refused to lie down and a good Ciaran Sheehy point in the 42nd minute started the comeback. In minutes forty five and six respectively Jonathon Healy-Hayes raised white and green flags from frees and a Kevin Murphy point in the 54th minute following good work by substitute Neil Gorey and Alex Pilkington brought the margin down to a goal. While they played with admirable spirit and kept up the pressure unfortunately from the Crokes point of view that was to be as close as it got with Kevins adding two late points to leave it 4-9 to 3-7 at the end.
This was a game where the Kilmacud youngsters did themselves proud and were somewhat unlucky not to crown a great year with the championship title. Apart from the players already mentioned full backs Rory Gogarty and Sam Cosgrove were in exceptional form ably assisted by corner man Brian McHenry. The half back of Enda Grogan (who was bidding for man of the match before having to go off injured), Emmet Doherty and Graham Fogarty played well. At centre field Barry O’Farrell gave a brilliant display getting good support from half forwards Alan Smith and Justin Cassidy while substitutes Jamie Clinton, Paul Sheridan and Darragh Hayes gave their all. Congratulations also to the management team of Liam Coughlan who put himself heart and soul into the team, John Mitchell and Sean Maher.
Team:
Conall O’Neill, Rory Gogarty, Sam Cosgrove, Brian McHenry, Graham Fogarty, Emmet Doherty, Enda Grogan, Barry O’Farrell, Alex Pilkington, Kevin Murphy (0-1), Alan Smith, Justin Cassidy, Ciaran Sheehy (0-1), Jonathon Healy-Hayes (2-4, f 2-4), James Lyons (1-1), Subs Jamie Clinton for E Grogan (inj), Paul Sheridan for Justin Cassidy, Justin Cassidy for Brian McHenry, Neil Gorey for P Sheridan, Darragh Hayes for J Lyons, James Butler and John Huban.