Week Ending 30th September 2007

It may have been a quiet week but the weekend was certainly hectic.  One county championship garnered, two county finals reached and a very respectable showing by the under 12’s in a Kilkenny tournament are the headline items but there was much more besides.

U14’s win County Championship

Pride of place must go to the under 14’s who won the “A” county championship with a well merited 1-12 to 1-8 win over Ballyboden in Finglas on Saturday 29th September 2007.  Taking into account Dublin representatives, Castleknock, won the National Feile na nGael, this was a competition of a high standard.  Crokes route to the final saw them overcome St Brigid’s in the semi final while Ballyboden accounted for Castleknock along the way.  Given the fact Boden had won the Dublin Feile semi final between the sides this was an encounter the Crokes boys were eagerly awaiting.

Boden got the first score.  For the next fifteen minutes Crokes owned the game and raced into a 1-6 to 0-1 lead.  Boden reeled them in to lead 1-7 to 1-6 at half time, a period that in itself produced some controversy.  The Crokes boys regained the initiative right from the changeover.  The second half was never less than nail biting as bit by bit the Kilmacud team added seven and confined Boden to just two overs from placed balls.  Our congratulations to all concerned especially the players and management team of Ciaran Hynes, Mick Hynes, Liam O’Carroll, Pat Fenelon and Aodhan de Paor.  For full report see HERE

U16’s both reach Finals

Congratulations are also due to both the under 16A and B squads and mentors, both of which won their championship semi-finals in Glenalbyn also on Saturday.  The “B’s” had the more comfortable path in the “D” championship with a 2-14 to 1-5 win over Naomh Olafs.  For report check “Latest News Section” later. 

The A’s with some players missing through injury had to work all the way before defeating St Vincent’s 1-9 to 0-10.  Behind 0-6 to 0-4 at interval the Crokes boys put in a great second half effort to make it to the final.  For report check “Latest News Section” later.

U12’s do well in Kilkenny

While all this, and more, was happening on the home font, the under12’s travelled to Kilkenny to play in the Dicksboro Tournament.  Just out of cars (something that always impacts on a team travelling a long distance) the boys were unlucky to go down by two points to James Stephens in their first game.  They then overcame Dublin neighbours Ballyboden before just failing by a point to Durlas Og.  While they did not advance from their group the quality of their effort can be gauged from the fact James Stephens went on to beat Dicksboro in the final by seven points. 

Under 10’s head North!

The under 10’s were also on the road – in their case for the third weekend in succession.  On Sunday it was north to Belfast for the Naomh Eoin Tournament where they won one, drew one and lost two in the course of a very worthwhile trip.

Once again our thanks to the hosting clubs and also to the mentors, parents and players who made the trips. 

Other Young Guns action!

Back in Dublin on Saturday the Under 11’s double team squad recorded two convincing wins over Ballyboden in Deerpark.  The single team hosted Crumlin and went down gamely.  Other fixtures included:

U8
Double-South
Deerpark Kilmacud Crokes V St Judes

Triple Teams
Balheary Fingallians V Kilmacud Crokes

U9

Double-South A

Oatlands Kilmacud Crokes V St.Vincents

Intermediates go down to Towers

Sunday was also a busy day.  The intermediates travelled to Clondalkin for a league game against Round Towers.  After a battling performance Crokes went down 3-16 to 3-9 with impressive displays from Willie Ryan in midfield, Peter Clinton who scored two goals, Hugh O’Connor at full back and Man of the Match John Barry in goal.  For report see HERE

More Young Guns Action!

One of the Under 13 teams played St Brigids away in a Division 1 league tie.  After a close encounter the home team just shaded it 3-8 to 3-5.  Among Crokes best were Kevin James McGowan, JJ Murray, Mark Collins and Daibhid Corish.

The under 12’s hosted the Blanchardstown team in Deerpark and emerged with a 7-4 to 1-6 win.  Stars for Crokes included Dylan Paisley, Andrew Lynch (2-0), Bejan Melrose (2-0), Conor Egan (1-0) and Ryan Conlon

Senior Championship v Cuala deferred following death of Mick Holden

During the week all Dublin Gaels were saddened to learn of the untimely death of Cuala and Dublin legend Mick Holden.  We extend our sympathies to his family and the Cuala club. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a Anam. As a mark of respect the senior hurling championship game between Cuala and Crokes scheduled for Sunday 30th September was deferred.

Hurling Academy

Saturday nursery activity at 11.00am for children born 1999 or later continues in Glenalbyn.  Contact Liam Coughlan 086-6063232 and lccoughlan@eircom.net.  Active parental input is essential for the success of the nursery.  No hurling experience necessary.

                                    www.kilmacudcrokes.com/hurling