Week ending 2 December 2007
Under 21
On Saturday 1st December 2007 in Silverpark Crokes took on Erins Hope, the St Patrick’s teacher Training College team, in the quarter final of the under 21 championship. A hurricane like wind and sticky ground militated against good hurling but those determined enough to brave the weather were well rewarded with honest endeavour and no little skill.
Crokes opened with the advantage. Erins Hope were first to attack but recorded a wide. In the second minute Kevin O’Loughlin sent over a free. Three minutes later Kevin Dalton passed to Neil Casey. A foul on the centre forward allowed Kevin O’Loughlin to double his tally. In the seventh minute a Richie Power effort at goal was blocked. The sliothar broke to Ross O’Carroll who found the net. The sides then exchanged wides before the students opened their account in the eleventh minute with a minor. In minute fourteen Ross O’Carroll pointed and two minutes later Kevin O’Loughlin made it 1-4 to 0-1 from a placed ball.
At this stage Rory O’Carroll was commanding at centre back for Crokes. In an effort to extend the lead the home team reshuffled its attack. In the twenty third minute the students scored their second point. Four minutes on an Erins Hope 65 went directly to the net and the visitors were right back in it. They followed with a wide. Barry Mulligan’s puck out found Barry O’Rorke, now operating at half forward. He passed to Kevin O’Loughlin who split the uprights. Erins Hope replied in kind and it was 1-5 to 1-3 at the break.
Two wides for the College team preceded points in the thirty third and thirty fourth minutes. Almost immediately good combination between Peter Clinton, Rob O’Loughlin and Rory O’Carroll saw the latter restore the Crokes lead following a powerful run. Within two minutes Erins Hope raised two white flags to lead again. There followed three wides from the Drumcondra lads before the lead was extended to two in the forty second minute. Two minutes later the lead was three points.
It was looking grim for Crokes but they refused to lie down. A forty seventh minute point from a free by Kevin O’Loughlin provided a tonic. A minute later he repeated the trick. Almost ten minutes were to pass before there was another score. This came in the form of a Conor Clinton point and the sides were level. Crokes pressed but could not get the score their dominance at this point deserved. A free out of defence for Erins Hope went wide. The puck out was not controlled and the students stole what looked like the winning point. Undaunted the Kilmacud lads came again and were rewarded with a point from Kevin Dalton at the death. 1-10 each, extra time beckoned.
Erins Hope played with the wind in the opening period and were held to just two points. At the turnaround things looked opportune for the home team. Unfortunately they were unable to score. In the conditions and at the end of a draining hard fought game no blame can be attached to them for this. Erins Hope did manage a point to leave it 1-13 to 1-10 at the long whistle. On a day when all tried their hearts out particular mention must be made of Fergus Garvey, Andrew Hopkins, Rory O’Carroll, Conor Clinton and Barry O’Rorke. Well done to everyone involved and to the management team of Niall Butler, Paddy McCormack and Brian Murphy who for the second year running had the misfortune to see their team exit the championship after extra time.
Team:
Barry Mulligan, Ronan Walsh, Fergus Garvey, Andrew Hopkins, Shea Gillen, Rory O’Carroll (0-1), Rob O’Loughlin, Kevin Dalton (0-1), Conor Clinton (0-1), Ross O’Carroll (0-3), Neil Casey (0-1), Brian Sheehan, Kevin O’Loughlin (0-4, f-2, 65-1), Barry O’Rorke (0-1), Richie Power. Subs: Peter Clinton for R Power (27 min, inj), Fergus Monnelly for S Gillen (half time), Niall Butler for N Casey (42 min), N Casey for B Sheehan (half time in extra time), Brian Mahon, Andrew Greene.
For images of this match click on photo above or click HERE
Minor
On Sunday the minor A’s made significant progress in their bid for the league title to add to the recently won championship with a 2-11 to 1-6 win away to St Vincents. With one game to play the Crokes lads and St Brigids has lost one game each, the latter having more games to play.
Played in a strong cross wind it was an even first half and ended 1-3 all. The switch of Rob O’Loughlin outfield at half time was one of the factors that enabled Crokes dominate the second half. Among the highlights were two cracking points from Conor Clinton and the free taking of Barry O’Rorke. A long range Brian Hanamy goal effectively ended the contest with five minutes to go.
Team:
R O’Loughlin, G McMorrow, S McNicholas, O Turley, R Walsh, E Culligan, N Mulligan, N Butler, C Clinton (0-2) , B O’Leidhinn, M Coughlan, C O’Grady (1-0), K O’Loughlin (0-2, f - 2), B Hanamy (1-0), B O’Rorke (0-7, f - 4). Subs: C Cunningham for B O’Leidhinn, K Noctor for K O’Loughlin, K Dias for C O’Grady and A Whelan.
Under 13
Also on Sunday the under 13’s traveled to Portlaoise for a challenge against the Laois Development Squad. The seventeen strong party set out early in the morning and had a good outing in tough conditions. Presumably that is the last journey of the year for the most traveled team in the history of the club and our thanks especially to our drivers throughout the year. The eagerly awaited parents versus sons Christmas clash now looms.
Squad:
B Horan, A Colclough, C Sweeny, M Collins, C MacGabhann, C O’Dwyer, J Murphy, R Murphy, M Geraghty, M McNicholas, C Devins, N Gorey, M Herlihy, C Conway, H Gowing, M O’Dwyer and R Geraghty.
Blue Star for James Burke
On Tuesday Crokes centre forward James Burke was honoured with a Blue Star award, a fitting tribute to a player who has been in fine form in recent seasons.
Hurling Arena
The new Hurling Arena in Glenalbyn is now in full swing and proving a major hit. This €500,000 project will be a huge addition to hurling in the club and is entirely funded by the Hurling Section. For more see HERE
Punchestown 2008
Our fifth annual Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Corporate Race Day takes place in Punchestown on Tuesday 22nd April 2008. The event has gone from success to success and bookings are now being taken. Donations or spot prizes remain very welcome. Please contact Brian Geraghty, Hurling Section, Commercial Officer, 087-2312378 and brianpgeraghty@eircom.net.
Dublin Minor Hurling Presentation Night
On Saturday 1st December Glenalbyn was the venue for the medal presentations to the Dublin 2007 Leinster Minor Hurling Champions. Winning a second Leinster in three years was a great achievement and all involved are to be congratulated, especially the players and the management team of Joe Fortune, Dwayne Moore and Eimear Deignan. The Crokes players honoured were Barry O’Rorke (captain), Rory O’Carroll, Rob O’Loughlin and Kevin O’Loughlin.
Nursery Hurling
Nursery hurling activity has now moved indoors at Oatlands College Sports Hall every Sunday to February 2008:
Boys born in 2002 9am to 10 am (including beginners)
Boys born in 2001 10am to 11 am
Boys born in 2000 11am to 12 noon
Older ages are catered for in the Paddock, also on Sunday mornings:
Boys born in 1999 10am to 11am
Boys born in 1998 9am to 10am
Boys born in 1997 11am to 12 noon
Boys born in 1995 12 noon to 1pm
For further details of the above or on other ages contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net. Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery. No hurling experience necessary