Tipperary Tour - Gutsy Performances from U9 Hurlers
On Sunday 8th May 2011, 22 hurlers and parents set off to the heart of hurling country - the Drum & Inch parish in County Tipperary. Only one family got lost along the way which was a good start- we think the driver was from Cork so they have an excuse. The first arrivals at the pitch in Drum & Inch were the Marnells and the Hayes and they took it upon themselves to open the gates and let themselves in.
Our hosts very kindly arranged a coaching session with Paudie Butler who is a native of the area and the former National Director of Hurling in Croke Park. The session was specifically arranged for our lads and they were also joined by players from Drum & Inch. The session was full of energy and intensity and the drills were certainly new to many of us. There was a particular emphasis on footwork and its importance in how to address the sliotar in order to strike it correctly. Lots of material to work on in training.
On the field of play Kilmacud gave a very good account of them selves playing four matches –losing two, winning one and drawing one.
Team 2 put on a brave display in both their games against Drum & Inch. They started against the strong wind in the first game and soaked up considerable pressure in defence before conceding a few scores. The second half was tighter and, with the wind behind them, Crokes put pressure on the Drum goal, eventually hitting the scoreboard. It was not enough though and the Tipperary team came away worthy winners on a score of 2-4 to 1-2.
In the second game for Team 2, Crokes had the wind in their sails in the first half and the pressure was on Drum. Some excellent defending however kept the score down and kept the hosts in the game and they came out in the second half with all guns blazing. It was another gutsy performance by the Crokes boys, with some excellent blocking and hooking, but they were beaten on the day by a skillful Drum & Inch team. Final score 6-5 to 1-1.
Team 1 started slowly in their first game and scores were hard to come by from both sides. Crokes goal keeper Naoise McCongail played a stormer in keeping Drum & Inch at bay by bringing off a number of great saves throughout the game. Kilmacud put in a strong second half performance and did well to secure a draw 3-2 each at full time.
In Team 1’s second game, the lads performed exceptionally well, outscoring their opponents 3-9 to 4-1.There was a high degree of skill displayed from both sides and some of the long-range point scoring from Kilmacud was excellent. The puck fada prize goes to Cian O’Cathasaigh for his marvellous point in the second half which cleared the high nets and ditches before landing in the next field.
After the matches, our hosts treated us to a fine feed of tea and sandwiches and goodies for the lads. We would like to acknowledge our thanks to Drum & Inch and in particular to Declan Fitzpatrick for looking after us so well.
Kilmacud Squad
Team 1 :Brendan Scanlon, Brian Hayes, Charlie Owens, Cian O’Cathasaigh, Dara McGabhann, Jack Tiernan, Mark Murphy, Naoise McCongail, Patrick O’Sullivan, Rory O’Mahony, Sean DeLap.
Team 2 :Ben Marnell, Ciaran Browne, Conn Lohan, Conor Crumlish, Pado Gibbons, David Crowe, Thomas Monaghan, Henry Dolphin, John McEntee, Leo Fearon, Shane Ryall.
