Senior Hurlers win league to finish the season on a high

Sunday the 4th December and the Crokes Senior hurlers togged out for the last time this season. In a cold damp O’Toole Park, Crokes took on Crumlin for the Division 1 League crown. Having lost only two of the regular league games during the year and this despite the Dublin contingent (both Footballers & Hurlers) being unavailable for most of the games, this record demonstrates the strength in depth of the current squad. Again, Crokes were without the services of Niall Corcoran, Ronan Walsh and Ryan O’Dwyer, as they were away in sunnier climes with Dublin.

The pitch was soft and Crokes started the game with the benefit of the strong breeze and accordingly open strongly, with James opening the Crokes account with a point in the opening minute. Two minutes later Conor scored his first point of the afternoon and five minutes later Kevin opened his tally with a converted free. Two minutes later Crumlin converted a free to start their afternoon’s total. But Kevin, again with a converted free cancelled out Crumlin’s opener and then Naomhan scored his first point with a well taken point following a surging run from midfield. Kevin then took over the scoring reins and added 5 points to the Crokes total, with three converted frees, a point from play and a great sideline conversion During this time the Crokes backs were on top and limited Crumlin to two points.

At the halfway mark, Crokes led ten points to four points.

Into the second half and Kevin continued to add to his tally with another converted free, but Crumlin hit a purple patch and came storming into the game with an unanswered goal and two points to narrow the Croke’s lead to two points. However, Croke’s upped their intensity and Conor and Naomhan popped over a point each, Crumlin hit back with another point. But Kevin converted two more frees to stretch the Crokes lead to five points, Crumlin responded with a point of their own and Barry O’Rourke opened his account with a great point from out on the wing. The clock ticked past the 30 minute mark and Crokes looked comfortable with a five point lead, but with 3 minutes of additional time played, Crumlin added another goal to their total, leaving just two points between the sides. The referee managed to find another 4 minutes on his watch and despite massive pressure from Crumlin, the Croke’s backs held sway and rebuffed all that Crumlin could throw at them. When the whistle did finally sound for full time, Crokes held a winning two point margin with a final score of 0-16 to 2-08.

Overall it was an entertaining game, with both sides playing great intensity and the skill levels on show made light of the difficult pitch conditions. It has been a long year for players and management alike and it is great to finish it with some silverware for the cupboard.

Scores: - Kevin (0-10, 8f, 1 sideline), Conor (0-2), Naomhan (0-2), James (0-1) Barry O’Rourke (0-1)

Team: - Matt Collins, Shane O’Rourke, Rory O’Carroll, Adrian Grogan, Bill O’Carroll, Ross O’Carroll, Gary McMorrow, Naomhan O’Reardán, Robert O’Loughlin, Barry O’Rourke, Jude Sweeney, James Burke, Kevin O’Loughlin, Conor Clinton, Barry Mulligan.

Subs: - Jack Doughan for Barry Mulligan, Dillon Mulligan for James Burke.

Unused Subs: - Richie Sweetnam, Gary Melican, William McEvoy, Donal McGovern, Aodán de Paor.

You can see photos of the encounter by clicking HERE or on the image below!

Report by Pat Halpin