Feile Semi final heartbreak for Crokes

U14's lose out to Lucan in extra time after a memorable tournament

It was a memorable couple of days hurling for the U14A hurlers at the 2013 Dublin Feile na nGael held in Silver Park at the weekend. On Saturday the team were drawn in Group B of Division 1 with Whitehall Colmcille, Cuala and Na Fianna and the lads started the tournament in a determined fashion in their first match against Whitehall and recorded a well deserved win by a score of 3-8 to 1-7. The next match was expected to be a much tighter affair against Southside neighbours Cuala but the team again put in a strong first half performance and went into the break leading by 8 points – a margin they maintained at the final whistle with a final score of 2-4 to 0-2.

The last group match against Na Fianna arguably proved to be the match of the day as both teams played some exciting and skilful hurling at a high level of intensity. The lead fluctuated between both teams in the 2nd half as goal after goal went in at either end and it was only a last minute goal by Na Fianna that eventually determined the outcome with the Northside team winning by a score of 4-6 to 4-5. However, it was not enough to stop Crokes from topping Group B and thereby ensuring a home semi-final at Silver Park against Lucan Sarsfields the following morning.

Sunday morning proved ideal for hurling as the sun broke through and there was just a hint of a breeze blowing in Silver Park. A fantastic home crowd turned up to support the lads in their quest for honours and witnessed a memorable semi-final. The teams were deadlocked at 1-2 each at half-time and 1-4 each at the final whistle. Two tense 5 minute periods of extra time were played and it was Lucan who prevailed at the end by 1-7 to 1-5. The Crokes lads were naturally disappointed to bow out but they showed great spirit throughout the competition and were a credit to the club.

There are far too many people to mention specifically, but the team management would just like to extend our sincere thanks to everybody within the club and around the team for the amazing support and encouragement that we received both in the build up to Feile and over the weekend itself – it couldn’t have happened without you.

Report by Alan Kehoe.