Senior ‘B’ Hurler’s good win over Parnell’s in Opening League Game of the 2019 Season

Senior ‘B’ Hurler’s good win over Parnell’s

Credit : Liam Coughlan for the Match Report/Team photo and Edel Ui Ghallchobhair  for the action shots

On an early spring morning in Coolock, Kilmacud Crokes Senior ‘B’ Hurlers opened their 2019 season with a hard-fought win over Parnells. Although the match was keenly contested throughout, the final scoreline of 3-15 to 0-16 was somewhat flattering.

In the second minute, full-back Paul Comerford caught a high ball and delivered a clearance to Denis Murray. The young wing-forward turned his man before being fouled 40m from goal and Eddied Gibbons pointed from the resultant free to open Crokes’ account. Even though Parnells replied with a free, Naomhán Ó Riordáin put Croke’s noses in front again with a good point after five minutes. Two pointed frees from Parnells followed before another free from Eddie Gibbons left the score 0-3 to 0-3 after eight minutes. Parnell’s first score from play a minute later nudged the home team ahead again before an incisive run on the left by Eddie Gibbons resulted in the talented full-forward scoring an excellent goal after ten minutes. A point from Colum Ó Sé following a long Sean Garvey puck-out, and another free from Eddie Gibbons were balanced by two Parnell frees. Then Aaron O’Toole ran through the middle of the Parnell defence to score a second Crokes’ goal after 17 minutes to leave some daylight between the teams. From then until the interval, Kilmacud Crokes’ three Eddie Gibbons points (two from frees) were marginally outdone by four frees from Parnells to leave the half-time score 2-8 to 0-10 in favour of Crokes.

On the resumption Parnells upped the intensity of their play and gradually reduced Croke’s lead to the bare minimum by the end of the third quarter. During this period Crokes scored three points – one each from Denis Murray (36 mins), Dara Ó Gallchobhair (41 mins) and Eddie Gibbons from a free following a foul on Eddie O’Byrne.  The score was 2-11 to 0-16 with eleven minutes to go when Barry Horan was presented with a fortuitous goal following a fumble by the Parnell’s goalkeeper. This had a demoralising effect on the home team and Crokes took full advantage by adding four unanswered Eddie Gibbons points, two of which were from frees. The first of the two frees would have made Joe Canning proud as it was fully 85 metres from goal near the left touchline and had to contend with a strong cross-field breeze.

Well done to all the team and as the irish proverb says “Tús maith leath na h-Oibre”

Kilmacud Crokes:- Sean Garvey, Eoin Sheehy (Capt), Paul Comerford, Stephen McEntee, Chris Hickey, Stephen Beale, Cian Ryan, Eddie O’Byrne, Naomhán Ó Riordáin (0-1), Dara Ó Gallchobhair (0-1), Barry Horan (1-0), Denis Murray (0-1), Colum Ó Sé (0-1), Eddie Gibbons (1-11, 0-8f), Aaron O’Toole (1-0).

Subs:- (not used) Tadhg Dunbar, Jack Slattery and Ciarán McIntyre.