Crokes beaten by narrowest of margins in U21 Final

The Under 21 A team contested the championship final on Saturday in O’Toole Park against our old rivals Ballyboden St Endas. The pitch was very heavy after all the rain the previous night but the afternoon was dry and sunny.
 
Crokes played with the wind in the first half; however Boden were first to score. Crokes levelled with a wonderful sideline score from Kevin O’Loughlin, who then proceeded to score a couple of frees, a 65 and a point from play to put us ahead by 5 points to 2. However, it was a very physical match and, with the ball getting stuck in the soft pitch, we had a good number of throw ins, which disrupted the flow of the game.  We were finding it difficult to pull away when, in the 25th minute, Sean McGrath scored a goal to put some daylight between the teams. Boden responded with their first point from play, which was answered by points from Naomhan O’Riordan and Kevin. At half time Crokes led by 1 7 to 0 3.
 
With Boden having the benefit of the breeze for the second half we knew we were in for a hard second half and so it turned out to be. They scored a point from the throw in, which was followed by quickly by a free by Kevin. From then on Boden chipped away at our lead, despite the best efforts of our backs, with Sean Murphy, Bill O’Carroll, Niall Mulligan and Gary McMorrow to the fore. With 5 minutes to go we were still 3 points ahead, after a fine Mark Coughlan score, but Boden kept coming at us to force extra time on a score of 1-09 to 0-12. How we rued our missed goal chances...
 
While the bodies were tired the spirit was strong and in the first period of extra time Kevin, Sean and Jude all scored to give us a half time lead of 1-12 to 0-13. After the quick turnaround we were again on the defensive and Boden were awarded a close in free from which they scored a goal. Crokes attacked with renewed determination, led by Dillon Mulligan and we were sure Alex was in for a goal but Boden cleared and scored a point to put them two points up. We attacked again and were awarded a free. Kevin was told it was the last puck of the game and went for a goal with all his might but it cleared the cross bar for a point. The referee, who had a good game, blew the final whistle to crown Boden as champions.
 
Whilst we may have lost, the panel gave their all and can hold their heads up high as they gave everything they had to try and win.

Final score Kilmacud Crokes 1-13, Ballyboden St Endas 1-14

You can view images of the final by clicking HERE or on the team photo below

Report by Kieran Dowling

Photos by Diarmuid O Gallchobhair