U9 Tournament 16th July 2005
Under 9's Shine at Pairc de Burca
Sunny Glenalbyn played host to a highly entertaining and competitive Covenant Technology Consulting (John McCallion) sponsored under 9 tournament on Saturday 16th July 2005 with visitors from Clara (Kilkenny), Naas and Ballyboden taking on Crokes.
Each team played 3 games in the group stages with the top two contesting the cup Final and third and fourth playing off for the Shield.
Crokes first game was against Naas where despite dominating for long periods we lost by 2-1 to 2-0. This turned our match against Clara who had beaten Ballyboden into a real crunch encounter. Despite the fact the Kilkenny team were favorites our boys put in a huge performance to earn a well merited draw 1-1 to 1-1 while Ballyboden accounted for Naas.
Going into the third game it was still all to play for. Clara were on three points, Naas and Ballyboden were on two each and Kilmacud had one point. The Crokes boys had to dig deep and after a seesaw game came out 2-0 to 0-1 winners over Boden while Clara overcame Naas.
This left the host club in the Cup Final against our Kilkenny visitors.
After a tremendous first half we were unlucky to be 1-0 to 0-0 in arrears. The second half was as exciting as the first and could have gone either way. Ultimately the Kilkenny team proved better but the Crokes boys lost nothing in defeat on what was a wonderful day for hurling.
All through the competition Daniel Coakley kept a good goal, Robert Cahill and Pete Moloney were in excellent form in the full back line. Centre back and captain Mark McCallion led by example. Bhriain Tully and Shane Kennedy proved great half backs. Desmond Dagg tried his heart out at midfield where his partner Eamon Allen crowned a great tournament with a magnificent goal against Clara. Centre forward Adam O'Neill was busy while Sean Crowe was a very industrious half forward. Mark Hallam caused opposing full backs a lot of trouble. Hubert Barry scored a great goal to seal the win over Ballyboden. Francis O'Reilly worked to great effect in the corner and never gave up. His colleague Cian Wade was always threatening.
Matthew Kavanagh, Matthew Redmond and Brian Grogan worked hard up front and kept pressure on all defenders. Fionn Donnelly, Cian Fahey and Andrew Liffet were sure and alert at all times, Shane Freely was full of running throughout.
Team List
Eamon Allen, Hubert Barry, Desmond Dagg, Shane Freely, Brian Grogan, Matthew Kavanagh, Mark McCallion, Andrew Liffey, Adam O'Neill, Bhriain Tuilley, Robert Cahill, Fionn Donnelly, Mark Hallam, Pete Moloney, Matthew Redmond, Daniel Coakley, Sean Crowe, Cian Wade, Shane Kennedy, Francis O'Reilly, Cian Fahey.
In keeping with Hurling section policy of seeking out and playing top class teams this was the under 9's second tournament of the year. Games of this quality are essential if the boys are to develop their potential and fully enjoy the hurling experience. We look forward to similar days during the year.
Our thanks in particular to John McCallion and Co