Under-12’s show mettle against O'Loughlin Gaels
Kilmacud Crokes Under-12’s played their part in another successful “Kilkenny on Tour” by beating O’Loughlin Gaels in lovely sunny conditions at the grounds of Callan C.B.S..
Crokes opened in great style with a really excellent goal from full-forward Cathal O’Dwyer after only 90 seconds. Cathal rose high 13 metres from goal to catch a long delivery from Tom Kehoe. A quick turn and a rasping shot later saw the net rattle. The Kilmacud lads then added three unanswered points – the first from Cathal, the second a well struck 65’ by Eoin Barr and the third a long range shot, which split the posts from Eoin again. When David Cullen found the net with a long delivery approaching the end of the first quarter, it looked as if the day’s excursion might be a little lopsided. However, this would be a rare occurrence against any self-respecting Kilkenny team and so it proved. For the O’Loughlin boys got into their stride with two quick goals and, even though Stephen Horgan soloed through for a well-worked Croke’s goal after 20 minutes, it was the O’Loughlin Gaels youngsters who were in the ascendant with two points approaching the half-time whistle. At the interval, the young Dubs still had their noses ahead on a score of 3-3 to 2-2.
During the first half, there were excellent performances from Stephen Tuite in goals, Adam Cantwell, Paul Buckley and Eamonn Keating in defence and ever-improving forwards Eoin Buggy and Cathal O’Connor. Also prominent in attack during the opening period were Nathan Slattery, Niall Bezeci and James Callanan.
On the resumption, Crokes tagged on two early points – the first after two minutes from a determined David Cullen and the second four minutes later after some good stickwork from Stephen Horgan. For the next ten minutes, however, O’Loughlin Gaels gradually reduced the arrears to the narrowest of margins by scoring a goal sandwitched between two minors. During this period, Crokes gave as good as they got but shot a number of wides while the homesters took every chance that came their way. Entering the last five minutes the game could have gone either way. However, once again this Crokes team showed great spirit and re-doubled their efforts to score two long range goals – the first from Cian Coleman and the second from Dylan Crossan – before Tom Kehoe put the icing on the cake with a well struck point to leave the final score 5-6 to 3-4 in favour of the visiting Dubs.
In the second half, Lorcan O’Connor and Eoin Shearer in defence got out in front of their men on many occasions and delivered long clearances downfield. They were ably assisted by Barry MacGabhann, Daniel Crowley and Michael Gibbons, who bravely blocked down what would have been a certain goal from O’Loughlins at a crucial stage in the match.
A notable feature of the second half was the absence of giving away soft frees caused by putting one hand on an opponent’s back when going for the ball. All in all, it was a very good performance from Kilmacud Crokes and augurs well for the future.
Kilmacud Crokes Panel:- Stephen Tuite, Eamonn Keating, Lorcan O’Connor, Adam Cantwell, Eoin Shearer, Dylan Crossan (1-0), Paul Buckley, Michael Gibbons, Barry MacGabhann, Eoin Barr (0-2), David Cullen (1-1), Stephen Horgan (1-1), Cian Coleman (1-0), Tom Kehoe (0-1), Daniel Crowley, Cathal O’Connor, Nathan Slattery, Eoin Buggy, James Callanan, Niall Bezeci, Cathal O’Dwyer (1-1).
For photos of the encounter, see HERE, or click on the team photo below!
