Seniors struggle past Pats in Championship opener
Following on from a good league performance and victory over Ballyboden 9 days earlier, the Crokes Senior hurlers headed over to O’Toole Park for their opening game in the 2012 Championship with some confidence. However, Crokes did not have it all their own way in this tense encounter.
Crokes open strongly and in the opening couple of minutes, Kevin converted two frees to open Croke’s score tally. However, St Pat’s hit back immediately with a converted free of their own. Ryan and Ross then added a point each before hesitation in the Croke’s backs allowed St Pats in to score a goal and level up the game in the 8th minute. However, the Croke’s defense took control and limited St Pats to one further point for the remainder of the half. While the forwards clicked into gear and added points from Damien (2), Ryan (2), Jude, Kevin, Barry and a fine goal from Damien. At the half time whistle, Crokes led comfortably by 9 points with a score of 1-11 to 1-02.
The second half was a different story. St Pats took a strangle hold of the Croke’s forwards and gave them no room in which to operate, while at the other end their confidence grew and with 6 minutes remaining in the game, they had registered one goal and six points to level the game, while Crokes had not yet added to their first half score. However, after a fine move starting in midfield, Kevin passed the ball to Seanie who blasted the sliotar into the back of the net to regain the lead for Crokes. Conor then went on a run with the sliotar, leaving St Pats players in his wake and slotted the ball over the bar to extend the Crokes lead. It was a nervy final three minute for Crokes and St Pats pushed on for further scores, however, the Crokes backs did their job and limited St Pats to a final point from a converted free. When the whistle sounded for full time, a relieved Crokes held a winning three point margin with a final score of 2-12 to 2-09.
Overall, it was definitely a game of two halves for Crokes, who will have to raise their intensity for the next Championship outing in two weeks time against a confident Craobh Chiarain side who beat Ballinteer St John’s in their opening encounter.
Scores: - Damien (1-02), Kevin (0-03, 2f), Sean (1-00), Ryan (0-03), Barry (0-01), Conor (0-01), Jude (0-01), Ross (0-1),
Team: - Matt Collins, Niall Corcoran, Bill O’Carroll, Jack Doughan, Gary McMorrow, Rory O’Carroll, Robert O’Loughlin, Kevin O’Loughlin, Dillon Mulligan, Ryan O’Dwyer, Damien Kelly, Jude Sweeney, Barry O’Rourke, Ross O’Carroll, Sean McGrath Subs: - James Burke for Gary McMorrow, Naomhan O’Riordan for Jude Sweeney, Conor Clinton for Barry O’Rourke. Unused Subs: - Alex Pilkington, Declan Browne, Sean Garvey.
You can view images of the match by clicking on the photo below, or by clicking HERE
