U13B Trip to Limerick and Clare 30/05/09
Panel: Daniel Bohan, Syed Risvi, Cian Montague, Andrew Liffey, Ruairi Geraghty, Niall Sweeney, Stephen O’Hurley, Steven Barr, Kevin Culligan, Hubert Barry, Ross Finnegan, Colin Smyth, Cian O’Connor
Mentors: Brian Geraghty, Tom Barry, Bryan Smyth, Eamon Finnegan, Sean O’Hurley, Richard Liffey & Michael Culligan.
Through Mick Crowe’s connections with his old club Monaleen the Crokes U13A & B teams were on tour last weekend. Also, due to Michael Culligan’s (dodgy!) Clare connections the U13B’s played Tulla on Sunday.
Match 1- They’re good on this side of the Shannon as well!
The B’s played 12-a-side in 15 minutes a half blitz. First up were Murroe/Boher. The Shannonsiders made full use of the wind in the first half and although we had excellent performances from captain Niall Sweeney and midfielders Steven Barr and Stephen O’Hurley the Stillorgan side found themselves 2-3 to no score down at the break. This was partially due to the fact that the ball wasn’t sticking in the half-forward line and thus we were unable to get the ball near the goal.
To rectify this and to make proper use of the wind in the second half the management made some positional switches, pushing Steven Barr up into the half forward line. This tactic was the springboard to a gutsy second-half performance. Steven Barr made full use of our puck-outs, dragging his man up the field and then making full use of his speed, running into the space which he had just vacated. This tactic only brought two points but alas not the goal that was so desperately needed. A well poached goal by Murroe/Boher in between two excellent points from Steven Barr put pay to the rising hopes of a Crokes comeback. The match ended 3-3 to 0-2 with Steven winning Crokes man of the match for his great work in halting the Shannonsiders onslaught.
Match Two – Back with a bang!
Despite having expected a half-hour break before the next game, due to a slight logistical mix-up the Crokes had to come straight back out of the dressing rooms to play the hosts B team. In some ways this helped us as despite our aching limbs the pain from our loss was still raw and we were able to channel this anger into aggression on the field. The wind had died down making the day even hotter. Crokes flew out of the blocks and despite some nervy moments from new keeper Kevin Culligan the Stillorgan side went into half time 2-3 to 0-2 up.
At half time the message was pumped into us ‘The Monaleen boys aren’t going to lie down and let themselves be beaten on their home ground by boys from the big smoke. They’re going to come racing out of the blocks, and you got to be on their heels’. So the Crokes came racing out of the blocks scoring two quick fire goals to take a 13 point advantage and end the game. Crokes then sat back while still keeping the scoreboard ticking over with points. Any slight dangers to our goal were snuffed out by our dogged defenders. When the final whistle eventually blew, Crokes had won by a resounding 4-9 to 0-3. Man of the match Niall Sweeney scored 1-4 including a beautiful interception catch and point from 30 yards out.
Special mentions must go to Andrew Liffey and Syed Risvi. Andrew had an exceptional game stopping any threats with his determination and work ethic. If, at any point in the game a player got by Andrew, there was our indomitable fullback Syed in the way. He has been our most improved player this season and it won’t be long before the first team come knocking (Hands off Mick Crowe!).
Match 3 – Three isn’t always a lucky number
After our great victory we went up to the main pitch to relax and watch the A’s win their final. Whilst we were resting, Michael Culligan was working overtime with a Faughs coach to secure us an unexpected fixture against Faughs B team (I’d hate to see the expenses bill!). This time though, we were unable to override our weary limbs and despite the addition of Cillian O’Shea in goals we found ourselves losing at half time.
We made changes throughout the second half and despite these changes, two goals from Niall Sweeney and a man of the match performance from Stephen O’Hurley we lost to our fellow Dubs by 2-5 to 2-1.
Match 4- Into the hurling heartlands
Panel: Daniel Bohan, Syed Risvi, Cian Montague, Andrew Liffey, Ruairi Geraghty, Niall Sweeney, Stephen O’Hurley, Steven Barr, Kevin Culligan, Hubert Barry, Ross Finnegan, Colin Smyth, Cian O’Connor
After some late night “Rula Bula” we left Limerick for Tulla. For this game we had Cian O’Connor at midfield to partner Niall Sweeney. Cian had a big influence in this game, playing a midfield holding role. Although we had control of most of the play in between the 45’s we went in at the break level due to a soft injury time goal for the home side.
This game was the complete team performance by the Crokes. The “tank was emptied” and the benefits of playing multiple games together on Saturday were evident for all to see in the manner in which the team gelled. The gallant Crokes led by the minimum as the clock ticked down and then disaster struck in the form of a superb 40M goal strike by Tulla at the end of normal time. The away fans groans could be heard above the delirium of the home crowd as the ball ran down the back of the net. We picked our heads up for the three minutes of injury time and had it not been for the excellent Tulla goalkeeper and our own profligacy we would have taken back victory. When the final whistle blew Crokes men hit the turf from exhaustion and despair. We had given it our all and still come out on the wrong side of a 2-4 to 1-5 scoreline. Nevertheless as the coaches reminded us this was a team performance to be very proud of with all 13 boys giving it their all. Ruairi excelled with some incredible saves that impressed Clare senior goalkeeper Phillip Brennan who kindly refereed the game on the day. Cian Montague made some superb blocks and Niall Sweeney led the scoring.