Under-8's win Gorey Tournament (30th Aug'08)

Body

Saturday 30th June saw the Under-8’s become the first Kilmacud Croke’s team to lift the Bill Cullen Trophy after finishing top of the pile in the prestigious Gorey Tournament organised by the local Naomh Eanna Club. The day started at 8.15am with the departure from Glenalbyn of 23 players, their parents, mentors and a large band of followers. On arrival at the well appointed Naomh Eanna complex, each team was welcomed and assigned to a group of five teams. This meant that each team would play a minimum of four matches (8-minutes per half) and, depending on results, would advance to the next stage. Before the first match, a lone piper lead all twenty teams around the pitch in what was truly a magnificent sight to behold.

At 10.45am the Kilmacud Crokes team  took to the field against Tara Rocks (Wexford). After a short while, it was apparent that the Dublin boys were stronger. Ian Walsh opened the scoring with a cracking goal after 3minutes. This was followed by further majors from Sean Kinsella (twice), Tom Stakelum, Niall Comerford and James Dillon to leave  Crokes easy winners by 6-0 to 0-0. The second match against Mount Leinster Rangers (Carlow) proved to be a much closer affair. A terrific point from Edmond Gibbons and a long range goal from Sean Kinsella within a minute of each other in the first half proved to be the difference between the teams. The third match saw Crokes dominate against Arklow Rocks (Wicklow) with Mark Grogan scoring the first and last goals and in between Sean Kinsella (1-1), Dylan Connaughton (1-0) and Niall Comerford (1-0) adding impressive scores. This left Crokes pitched against Glynn Barntown (Wexford) in the last of the group matches. As the Wexford team had also won their previous three matches this, in effect, was a quarter-final with the winners proceeding to the Cup semi-final. The first half was a close affair with goals from Sean Kinsella and Mark Grogan keeping Crokes’ noses in front. In the second half, a further 1-1 from Sean and a goal from the lively Edmund Gibbons left the Stillorgan boys winners by 4-1 to 0-1.

The semi-final line-up saw Kilmacud Crokes play our hosts, Naomh Eanna. The early exchanges were close. However, after Mark Grogan scored an excellent point, Sean Kinsella and Edmond Gibbons crashed to the net to leave Crokes ahead at half-time. Shortly after the re-start, young Sean Kealy latched on to a loose ball to score another goal. Then, to the delight of the large contingent of Crokes’ fans, Charlie Costello scored an excellent goal before Sean Kinsella put the icing on the cake with a splendid point to send the team through to the final against Clara (Kilkenny). The final was expected to be evenly matched. Indeed, early on the Kilkenny boys had the upper hand and a screamer of a shot had goalkeeper, Liam Wolfe on his toes but thankfully from a Crokes’ perspective the ball went narrowly wide. This acted as a spur to the boys from Stillorgan. Ian Walsh scored an excellent goal mid-way through the 1st half and this was followed by a point from Niall Comerford before Ian netted a second goal. A further point from Sean Kinsella, left Crokes’ 8 points clear at the interval. In the second half, further goals from Mark Grogan, Edmond Gibbons and Padhraic Linehan and a point from Niall Comerford, left Crokes’s easy winners on a score of 6-3 to 0-0. In fairness to the Kilkenny team, it was a long day for young hurlers and Crokes can expect to have much closer matches with Clara in the years to come.

Nothing, however, can be taken away from the Kilmacud Crokes team, who were well trained by their excellent mentors – Robert Kinsella, Martin Lacey, Ray Mooney, Paddy Linehan, Kevin Walsh and Rory Murphy. Just because the forwards and mid-fielders had most of the possession during the day, nobody should forget the sterling work of Liam Wolfe (in goals) and Patrick McDonnell, Max Murphy, James Kos, Anthony Quinn, James Dillon, Conor Mooney, Kevin Nangle and Denis Murray in defence. Also the contributions of Liam Reddy, Tiarnan O’Connell and Aaron O’Toole are worthy of mention. Panel:- Sean Kealy, Tiarnan O’Connell, James Dillon, Anthony Quinn, Dylan Connaughton, Liam Reddy, James Kos, Dennis Murray, Patrick O’Donnell, Liam Woulfe, Tom Stakelum, Conor Mooney, Kevin Nangle, Conor Lacey, Mark Grogan, Niall Comerford, Padhraic Linehan, Sean Kinsella, Max Murphy, Ed Gibbons, Ian Walsh, Charlie Costello and Aaron O’TooleMentors and helpers:- Robert Kinsella, Martin Lacey, Ray Mooney, Paddy Linehan, Kevin Walsh, Rory Murphy and Morgan O’Connell

 

Report posted by Liam Coughlan

Tagging