Report for w/e 29 Apr 07

Week Ending 29th April 2007

The unseasonly warm weather continuing, two Saturday wins in the bag, Junior B’s back in championship hunt and over 80 kids at the National Hurling League Finals to round off what was a good weekend for Kilmacud Crokes hurling.

Seniors v Cuala

 Mid-afternoon Saturday took us to Hyde Park for a Senior Hurling League clash with Cuala.  A quick burst from traps saw Crokes dominate the first half with the aid of a slight breeze and go in comfortable 0-11 to 0-2 leaders at the interval.  The second half seemed set for more of the same but as Cuala lifted their game Crokes seemed to lose shape and focus.  Crokes could only manage three second half points to Cuala’s goal and five to leave the final score 0-14 to 1-7. 

While a win for the homesters was always improbable the Kilmacud stars over the full hour were all in defence.  MacDara O’Hogain’s two fine second half saves were particularly memorable and the principals in front of him included Adrian Grogan, Kieran Murphy and Niall Murphy.

Team:

MacDara O’hOgain, Adrian Grogan, Declan Browne, Kieran Murphy, Niall Murphy, Aodhan de Paor, Donal McGovern, Hugh Gannon, Shane O’Rorke, Fergal Armstrong, James Burke, Neil Casey, Ross O’Carroll, Paul Broderick, Eoin Roche.  Subs: Ray Mangan for Donal McGovern (inj), Eoin de Paor for Aodhan de Paor (inj), Andrew Hopkins for Eoin Roche, Tomas Donohue and Paul Graham

Intermediates v Fingallians

Evening time and it was Lawless Park in Swords to take on Fingallians in the Intermediate Championship second round.  After ten minutes with Crokes 1-2 to 0-1 ahead it looked as if the visitors would take a commanding grip but this was not to be.  It was 1-4 each at the short whistle with Crokes to have the wind advantage in the second half.  Crokes opened the post break but it was nip and tuck for most of the half until Kilmacud carved out a three point gap with five minutes to go.  Fingallians pulled one back but a late Richie Power free restored the three point margin to finish Crokes 1-13, Fingallians 1-10.  The Crokes stars included Dave Canny, Willie Ryan, who sent over one glorious second half point, Eoin de Paor, Ray Mangan, plus substitutes Conor Clinton, especially when moved to centre forward and Peter Clinton.  Well done to all concerned, especially those who fielded twice in the day.

Team:

P Graham, A Hopkins, T Donoghue, D Canny, R Mangan, E de Paor, W Ryan, D McSweeney, D Baker, D Burke, J Ross Hunt, N Casey E Roche, D Howley, A Crean.  Subs: C Condon for D Howley (inj), R Power for E Roche, H O’Connor for D Burke, P Clinton for J R Hunt, B Brennan, P McCormack, E O’Keeffe, R Walsh, F Mangan, E Murphy, D Houlihan and C Howley

Juvenile Teams travel the land

Sunday saw a mini migration to Thurles with the under 10’s, 11’s, 12’s and 13’s taking to the road for the National Hurling League Finals.  En route the under 10’s played Emeralds of Urlingford and came away 4-6 to 4-5 winners having withstood some very strong late pressure.  The under 12’s stopped off in Nenagh to record a 4-7 to 0-2 win. 

Both the under 11 and 13’s alighted in Templemore for games against JK Brackens.  The under 11’s found the going tough, winning one and losing two games. Joining up with the other Crokes travelling entourage in Semple Stadium later in the day, they soaked up the atmosphere on the pitch afterwards, getting many autographs, singing their way home, stopping only briefly for replenishments along the way. For some images of the U11's on tour click HERE

The under 13’s accounted for the home club’s under 14’s by 6-5 to 1-7 after a keenly fought game. 

 

 

Semple Stadium action

With the games played it was on to Semple Stadium.  In the curtain raiser the John Mitchell managed Wicklow went down to Laois for which Alan Tiernan scored two points following his introduction as a second half substitute.  Sean Maher was the third Crokes man involved in what was a historic day for the Garden County.  The main event was an exhilarating contest, with Waterford pipping Kilkenny for their first National League title in 46 years, and a great hurling advertisement for the Crokes youngsters.

The Under 11's who had earlier played agaisnt JK Brackens in Templemre 

Junior B’s v Liffey Gaels

At home the Junior B’s had a good twelve point second round championship win over Liffey Gaels in Silverpark to get their campaign back on the rails.  Later at the same venue the under 16B’s performed well against Clontarf but the late concession of a goal and two points caused them to go under by a goal.

Punchestown

Earlier in the week, Tuesday 24th April, witnessed a bumper off the field success with the fourth annual Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Corporate Race Day at the Punchestown National Hunt Festival.  Many thanks to the 1,100 guests who attended, to all those who donated prizes or made contributions and in particular to Brian Geraghty, Hurling Section, Commercial Officer, and his team – job well done.

Hurling Arena

 Work continues apace on our new Hurling Arena in Glenalbyn.  This €500,000 project will be a huge addition to hurling in the club and is entirely funded by the Hurling Section, relying heavily on the Punchestown event.

 

Hurling Nursery

Saturdays see the continuation of outdoor nursery activity at Glenalbyn. This continues every Saturday at 10.00 am for children born 1999 or later.  Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net.  Active parental

input is essential for the success of the nursery.  No hurling experience necessary!