Week Ending 1st July 2007

The sad passing of Father Michael Loftus, PP Kilmacud and Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club President, at the beginning of the week put in perspective the feelings of pride, joy and accomplishment when Dublin won the Leinster Minor Hurling Final in Croke Park on Sunday, captained by Barry O’Rorke and with three other Crokes boys on the field.

A large number of club members attended Father Michael’s removal to St Laurence O’Toole Church on Wednesday and mass, before the body was conveyed to Tuam Cathedral, on Thursday.  During his time in Kilmacud Fr Michael was very supportive of club activities and we extend our sympathies to his family and many friends.  Ar dheis lamh De go raibh a anam.

 

Dublin Minors overcome Kilkenny in Leinster Final

Sunday was a great Crokes day at headquarters, the home of the original Croke Park United club, that became Crokes Hurling Club and, in turn, Kilmacud Crokes.  2005 saw Shane O’Rorke and Ross O’Carroll on the winning Dublin team.  This year younger brothers Barry and Rory together with the two O’Loughlins, Rob and Kevin, made their mark.  In doing so they brought the nineteenth through to the twenty second Leinster Minor Hurling medals to the club and emulated the achievement of the Croke Park United foursome, Francis Whelan, Kevin O’Toole, D O’Neill and L Delaney, when Dublin won the very first such championship in 1928.

While Kilkenny lead by three points to one after six minutes, this was a game for most of which Dublin held the upper hand.  Barry O’Rorke first got on the scoresheet in the tenth minute with a fine point and later added a superbly finished goal plus another minor.  Rory O’Carroll was in outstanding form at centre back and made many decisive clearances.  Both Kevin and Rob O’Loughlin were introduced to telling effect in the forward line in the second half.  At the long whistle a 2-14 to 1-10 scoreline by no means flattered the metropolitans.  Our congratulations to the lads themselves, their parents and families, the Dublin team and management and to everybody in the club who contributed to the boys’ development as hurlers.  Our thanks also to Hurling Committee Social Officer, Billy Noctor, and his many helpers for laying on a great celebratory barbeque in Glenalbyn after the game.  For match report see HERE

 

Under 15’s draw with Wicklow

On the home front Sunday am saw the under 15’s host the Wicklow Development Squad.  Starring for Crokes in a game that ended 3-4 (Crokes) to 2-7 were Niko Salvino, Karl Russell, Oisín O’Gallchobhair, Stephen Beale and Graham Fogarty.

For photos of this match see  HERE

 

U10’s and U12’s beat Wexford opposition

The under 10’s and under 12’s had strong wins over visitors Clonard from Wexford, who were en route to follow their county in Croke Park.

 

Seniors beat strong Cork opposition

While Sunday would be hard to beat Saturday also had it s moments.  On a lovely morning the senior hurlers entertained the famous Newtownshandrum club from Cork in Silverpark.  Newtown were minus their Cork players, the two O’Connors and Cathal Naughten plus their Cork minors.  Crokes started very well.  For the first quarter it was more or less point for point with Newtown maintaining the edge.  The visitors then picked off three or four points before a well-worked Paul Graham goal narrowed the gap.  However Newtown quickly cancelled this out with a major of their own and extended the lead with another shortly before half time to give them a 2-6 to 1-4 margin.

At the interval the Crokes management highlighted the need to counter Newtown’s tactic of playing off and feeding each other.  The forwards in particular answered the call and put on much more pressure on their markers.  Crokes got the first two points of the second half.  Newtown then got three in row.  Crokes battled away and three good goals from James Burke, Graham again and Donal McGovern proved sufficient to give Crokes a deserved 4-10 to 2-14 victory.  Substitutes Fergal Armstrong and McGovern played key roles in the second half while Damien Byrne Aodhan de Paor, Willie Ryan, MacDara O’hOgain, Paul Graham and Brian Motherway also made strong contributions

Team:

MacDara O’hOgain, Willie Ryan, Declan Browne, Andrew Hopkins, Niall Lillis, Aodhan de Paor, Damien Byrne, Daibhi de Paor, Hugh Gannon, James Burke, Fergus Garvey, Brian Motherway, Tomas Donohue, Paul Graham, Eoin Roche.  Subs: Fergal Armstrong for T Donohue, Donal McGovern for Declan Browne (inj) Ronan Walsh for A Hopkins, Shea Gillen and Conor Clinton.

 

Dublin v Cork, Parnell Park, 30 Jun2 2007

Saturday afternoon saw Dublin play Cork in Parnell Park in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Qualifier series before a large crowd.  Trailing by 1-9 to 0-7 at the break Dublin gave of their best but had to bend the knee 3-20 to 0-15.  Particularly prominent for Dublin in the second half was Crokes Ross O’Carroll who registered two points from play,  For report see HERE

 

PJ Troy Tournament

Elsewhere on Saturday The under 10’s played three games against Na Fianna while the under 13’s took part in the annual PJ Troy tournament hosted by Whitehall Colmcilles at Ellenfield. Tournament.  Games in this tournament consist of four seven and a half minute quarters, the first and third allowing ground hurling only and the second and fourth catering for normal hurling.  A somewhat depleted Crokes squad, mainly due to holidays and Gaelteacht stays, went down successively to Ballyboden (the eventual winners), St Judes and Na Fianna.

Squad:

Eamonn Allen, Andrew Colclough, Conor Sweeny, Mark Collins, Mark Mannion, Conor J O’Dwyer, Philip O’Shea, Cian MacGabhann, Oisin O’Rorke, Robert Murphy, Matthew Geraghty, Donal Keane, Thomas Campion, Michael Herlihy, Conor O’Byrne, Ciaran McIntyre, Eoin Ryall, Dara O’Gallchobhair and Ruairi Geraghty.

For photos of the U13’s in action in the PJ Troy tournament click HERE

 

Minor Hurling Summer League

A pleasant Wednesday evening saw Crokes defeat Lucan Sarsfields 8-8 to 1-10 in the Minor Hurling Summer League.  Playing with a good breeze the home tam led 5-7 to 0-4 at half time.  Impressive for Crokes were Niall Butler, with four goals, Cathal Thornton, who scored 1-2, Garry McMorrow, Ronan Walsh, Conor Caulfield, Andrew Whelan and Brian Hanamy.

Team:

Richie Tighe, Niall McIntyre, Gary McMorrow, Andrew Whelan, Niall Mulligan, Ronan Walsh, Alan McPhilips, Chris Cunningham, Conor Clinton, Ken Noctor, Brian Hanamy, Conor Caulfield, Cathal Thornton, Patrick Tobin.  Subs: Cillian Caffrey for C Clinton (inj), Chris Carolan for R Walsh, R Walsh for N Butler

 

Hurling Section Golf Classic another success

Friday another small ball game took centre stage.  On 10.00 am play began for the 22 teams entered in the annual Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Golf Classic at South County Golf Club, just outside Brittas, Co. Dublin.  Fortunately the gods smiled with a benign day and a course in excellent condition.  This was the Hurling Section’s second major corporate event of the year and, as with the Punchestown Race Day, our friends in the commercial sector were most generous in their response.  Post golf the participants were treated to excellent fare by the very attentive catering staff before prize giving at 9.30 pm

Overall winners were the Whirlpool team consisting of Paddy McCormack (18), Cyril Byrne (18), Damien Byrne (18) and Fergal Armstrong (14) with 93 points.  In second place on 90 points was last year’s winners, the Crossan Homes team, comprising Peter Crossan (24), Martin Donohue (16), Liam Dunne (15) and Murt Davis (10).

Kilmacud Crokes Hurling is indebted to the organising work group of Padraig O’Sullivan, Colm Maher, Gearoid MacGabhann, Jim Kane and Sean Allen for their efforts in making the event such a success.  Thanks also to Michael Hynes and the underage players who helped out on the day.  For report and some images click HERE

 

Hurling Arena

Progress continues apace on our new Hurling Arena in Glenalbyn.  See  HERE . When complete this €500,000 project will be a huge addition to hurling in the club. 

 

Hurling Academy

Saturdays see the continuation of outdoor nursery activity at Glenalbyn. This continues every Saturday at 10.00 am for children born 1999 or later.  Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net.  Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery.  No hurling experience necessary!