Crokes Minor C's finish strongly to win Semi Final spot

Crokes Minor C's showed great character today in sunny Belfield to overcome a powerful Naomh Fionnbarra team in the D Championship Quarter Final. Having been in League Division 4 Fionnbarra were always going to be a tough challenge for the Crokes lads (Division 6) and for periods of the game, it seemed as if the Cabra team had the edge.

Crokes began brightly with fine points by U16 midfielder Rian Robertson and influential centre forward Cillian Molloy. However, Fionnbarra made use of the wind and scored the next 3 points with massive frees from strong wing forward Josh Murphy. 

Crokes wing back Peter Bradley then cleared a dangerous defensive situation to livewire Colm Buckley who carried deep into Fionnbarra territory on the right from which corner forward James Candon hit a lovely point to level after 10 minutes. (KC 0‑3 NF 0‑3)

Then Crokes were caught napping as Fionnbarra midfielder Jordan Doyle won the puck out and sauntered through the defence before off loading to an unmarked forward who gave goalie Mark Beggins no chance. (KC 0‑3 NF 1‑3)

Fionnbarra followed up with another quick point and it looked as if they really had the initiative.

Crokes then managed to get a bit of possession and worked the ball upfield where wing forward Noah Bermingham showed a deft touch to hit a lovely point from the left. (KC 0‑4 NF 1‑4)

The Crokes midfield of Robert Phelan and Robertson,  aided by half back line of Tadhg Ó Cathasaigh, David Mattimoe and Colm Buckley, were working very hard at this point to win possession against the strong wind and from yet another turnover, Buckley hit the ball long to right corner forward Seán McIntyre; McIntyre showed great skill to send in a shot from an acute angle which looked as if it was going over only for it to hit the left up right and rebound out to full forward David Purcell on the corner of the large square.

Purcell gathered the sliothar before unleashing a "pile driver" into the roof of the net!! (KC 1‑4 NF 1‑4)

Having regained the initiative, Crokes then took the lead when right wing forward Conor Murphy hit a marvelous point from 65 metres into the wind on 23 minutes. (KC 1‑5 NF 1‑4)

Josh Murphy then levelled with another free before Candon scored his 2nd point from near the right sideline. (KC 1‑6 NF 1‑5)

Fionnbarra levelled again and then were awarded a soft free on the left on the 21 metre line. Unfortunately, the referee moved it in front of the posts for dissent. With half time approaching, Murphy "smelt blood" and drove a fierce low shot which goalie Mark Beggins did well to get his hurl to but such was the power that the sliothar glanced off it into the net! 

Half Time – KC 1‑6 Fionnbarra 2‑6

From the throw in, Robertson fed U16 sub Conall Criostoir who hit a lovely point from 50 metres on the left. Criostoir and Murphy then traded points before the Crokes defence was cut open by a solo by midfielder Jordon Doyle who passed to a forward who finished to the net for a relatively soft goal. (KC 1‑8 NF 3‑7)

Crokes didn't panic and Beggins hit a long puck to the left where Criostoir once again claimed it and stroked over to settle the nerves. (KC 1‑9 NF 3‑7)

The Crokes defence, which was well marshalled by Molloy who had moved to full back, was starting to exert more control and Crokes were also making use of the wind to gain territory. A long ball was played in towards the 20 metre line where Purcell showed great strength to win it and get past 2 defenders before hitting another unstoppable shot to the net. (KC 2‑9 NF 3‑7)

Crokes regained possession from the puck out and the ball found it's way to Criostoir who once again "arrowed it" over the bar and suddenly Crokes were level!! (KC 2‑10 NF 3‑7)

Crokes then had a very anxious moment as stalwart goalkeeper Mark Beggins went down following a knock to the head. Fellow U16 Conor Coogan, replaced him in the goal (as a concussion sub) and nerves were settled.

After the stoppage in play, there was a free for Crokes on the Fionnbarra 45 metre line which Criostoir despatched with aplomb. (KC 2‑11 NF 3‑7)

From this point on, Crokes looked like the likely winners and following a long run by Robertson in which he lost and regained possession twice, he scored his 2nd point to make it a 2 point game. (KC 2‑12 NF 3‑7)

Following another Crokes attack, there was a "schmozle" on the Fionnbarra 20 metre line which threatened to turn into a brawl but both sets of players had the good sense to walk away. Unfortunately, Crokes inspirational captain David Purcell was sent off along with Jordan Doyle of Fionnbarra. 

Crokes reacted better to this crisis and Criostoir hit another to make it 2‑13 to 3‑07 with about 10 minutes left.

The tireless Buckley then gained possession on the right sideline and carried before sending a speculative shot in towards goal.

Goalkeeper Ger Smith (who had been very solid all day under the high ball) put his hand up to gather but to his horror, the sliothar evaded his grasp and landed in the net. (KC 3‑13 NF 3‑07)

From here Fionnbarra really had to go for goals but the Crokes defence repelled several attacks, corner backs Ross Gargan & Hugh Brosnan being very efficient in clearing danger ably assisted by fellow U16 sub PJ Phelan and half backs Mattimoe and Ó Cathasaigh. From another long clearance, Robertson showed great skill in catching the sliothar just before it hit the ground and then "surfing" 2 tackles before sending a great ball into the left corner where sub Mark Sheerin latched onto it and struck for goal but his rising shot went over to make it a 7 point game. (KC 3‑14 NF 3‑07)

Criostoir added another point before Fionnbarra rallied in search of a consolation score but their best efforts were deflected over for a point. From the puck out, Coogan hit long into space on the right where the free running Criostoir latched onto it and struck over from the sideline on 45 metres to complete 30 minutes of perfection for himself and his team!! 

The final whistle sounded shortly after much to the delight of the Crokes players and supporters.

This team is a a great amalgamation of U17, U18 and U16 players. The management are very grateful to U16 mentors Ros Criostoir, Jim Ryan and Eoin Healy for encouraging their U16 players to "play up" on the Minor teams.

Crokes: M.Beggins, R.Gargan, J.Tuliani, P.Bradley, T.Ó Cathasaigh, D.Mattimoe, C.Buckley, R.Phelan, R.Robertson, C.Murphy, C.Molloy, N.Bermingham, S.McIntyre, D.Purcell (capt), J.Candon.

Subs: C.Criostoir -> Bermingham, H.Brosnan -> Bradley, PJ Phelan -> Tuliani, C.Coogan -> Beggins (concussion), M.Sheerin -> McIntyre, C.Mullin -> Murphy.

Other subs: Eoin Lynch, Cian Cooper, Oisín Gormley.