Minor B's overcome Naomh Barróg

Minor Bs win and make almost certain of a quarter final place

Due to the very wet weather and the now seemingly permanent water feature in Silver Park the venue for the Minor Bs last game in the group stages of the championship against Naomh Barróg was moved to the excellent all weather facility in Bray last Sunday morning, 4 November. Having lost one and won one the Crokes knew that a win would maintain their championship interest and would almost certainly guarantee them a quarter-final place. They set about their task with great industry in the wind and rain and soon got the upper hand in most of the exchanges throughout the pitch.  While scores were traded in the opening minutes, a couple of missed goal chances left the teams closer than should have been the case. The forwards in particular were moving really well and some great scores from play were chalked up by Dara Ó Gallchobhair, Ronan Horgan, Graham Healy-Hayes and Mikey O’Dwyer. The half-time score read Crokes 0-10 Naomh Barróg 0-3.

 Mindful of the fact that they had a tendency to let teams back into games during the second period the Crokes strove to stamp their authority on things and were soon rewarded with a well-taken goal by Paul Comerford after good work by Ed Campion and Ciarán McIntyre. This was followed by points from Dara Ó Gallchobhair and Louis O’Sullivan. Naomh Barróg tried hard to get back into it and a sustained period of pressure resulted in them scoring a goal and two points midway through the half. The Crokes stood firm however and with Éamonn Allen and Karl Doyle holding the centre they managed to steady the ship.  Another goal by Dara Ó Gallchobhair and further points by him,  Mikey O’Dywer and Éamonn Allen saw the match out. The final score read Crokes 2-17 Naomh Barróg 1-06. While it wasn’t a vintage display by the lads great credit is due all the team and subs for the all-round committment displayed in what were difficult conditions. They now move on to the knock-out stages with confidence.

Team: Conor Sweeney, Gregory Buckley, Karl Doyle, Seán Bedford, Cathal Keane-Breslin, Éamonn Allen (0-02, 1f), Ciarán McIntyre, Edward Campion, Mikey O’Dwyer (0-02), Ryan Conlon, Ronan Horgan (0-02), Dara Ó Gallchobhair (1-09, 4f), Graham Healy-Hayes (0-01), Louis O’Sullivan (0-01), Paul Comerford (1-00).

Subs: Cillian O’Shea for Ryan Conlon, Adam Spollen for Ed Campion, Peter Herlihy for Paul Comerford, Andriú Ó Heachtairn for Ciarán McIntyre, Barry O’Sullivan for Graham Healy-Hayes.

Report by Joe Ó Murchú

Photos by Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair