Late Late goal earn Seniors league victory over Ballinteer

On Monday night in sunny Pairc de Burca, the Senior hurlers togged out for their last match in the 2012 Division 1 league.  Facing near neighbours Ballinteer St Johns, who needing a win to avoid relegation, always ensured that this would be a close encounter.  

St John’s opened the brighter side and jumped into a two point lead, but the rest of the half was tight affair and at the half time whistle, Croke’s were leading by a solitary point, with a score line of 9 points to 8.

Croke’s were the better side in the opening 8 minutes of the second half and extended their lead to 4 points, but St John’s fought back to within two points.  The margin sea sawed up & down between 2 and 4 points until with 2 minutes to go and Croke’s lead at 3 points, St John’s scored a goal to equalise.  St John’s now had the bit between their teeth and were pushing on for the winner, but the Croke's defence held strong and with two minutes of added time played, Crokes scored a goal to seal victory and confirm relegation for St John’s and a mid table finish for Croke’s with a scoreline of 1-17 to 1-14.  A strange league this year, with there only being a difference of 7 points between the top team and the 2nd bottom team.

A good competitive game, played in a sportsman like manner, both sides now face a four week wait before the Championship resumes around the 22nd September.