This week's U12 action

U12 Div 1 League : Kilmacud Crokes(2)  6-7     Na Fianna 4-8

 

KC2 entertained Na Fianna in Deer Park in the opening round of the Division 1 league on a lovely sunny Saturday morning.

Playing into the wind in the first half Callum Pearson opened the scoring with a well taken goal after 2 minutes. Na Fianna quickly settled however and scored 1-3 without reply and also forced a number of good saves from Conor O'Dwyer in the 'Crokes goal. Callum also picked off 3 points in the first half and Fergal Whitely converted 2 frees after Johnny Maher was fouled in possession to leave the scoreline 2-5 to 1-5 for Na Fianna, Na Fianna's goal coming from a 21yd free awarded for a Crokes defender flicking the ball with his foot while under pressure to clear. This bizarre 'no kicking' rule was to deny Callum Pearson a well taken goal in the second half after he expertly kept the ball under control with his foot while tangling with the full back before tapping it by the goalkeeper with his stick. The juvenile hurling rule makers really need to take a look at this rule again.

After a tight opening 5 minutes of the second half, Callum Pearson levelled the game with a good goal after some good work out the field by Cathal Keane and Stephen McEntee. Na Fianna got 2 points back, which could have been more if it was not for the excellend defending of Luke Gaffney and Conor Walsh in the 'Crokes full back line. Conor O'Dwyer also cleared his lines well throughout the game. Chris Kealy and Joey Dalton held their own against the lively Na Fianna wing forwards and Brian Grogan looked back in good form in the middle of the field with some aggressive tackling and quick deliveries. Up front the half forward line of Johnny Maher, Feargal Whitely and Oisin Doherty were doing their job of feeding the full forward line of Pearson and the hard working Louis De Courcy well while also working their socks off back into the midfield area. The score of the game came from an excellent pass from Doherty from the left wing to Whitely, who was steaming through the middle. Feargal caught the ball at full pace, beat the full back with his momentum and struck an unstoppable shot in the corner off his left side. This score effectively decided the result and although Na Fianna goaled in the final minute, 'Crokes finished with 5 points to spare.

Team: Conor O'Dwyer, Luke Gaffney, Conor Kelly, Chris Kealy, Cathal Keane, Joey Dalton, Brian Grogan, Stephen McEntee (0-1), Johnny Maher, Feargal Whitely (1-3), Oisin Doherty, Callum Pearson (5-3), Louis De Courcy.

U12 Div 4 Cup Final : Kilmacud Crokes(3)  5-4     Cuala 2-2

 In perfect conditions Kilmcaud Crokes U12B team won the Division 4 Cup in fine fashion by defeating a gallant Cuala side in Monastery Road Clondalkin On Saturday. Playing into the breeze, 'Crokes started well and, but for some great goalkeeping by the man of the match Cuala Number 1, could have been 3 goals up inside the first 5 minutes through efforts from Daniel Keegan (2) and Daniel Dowling. As it transpired it was Cuala who drew first blood with a well finished goal from a rebound after Mark O'Rourke made a good initial save. This score was followed by a good point from distance from one of the impressive Cuala midfielders. 'Crokes got off the mark with a well struck point from Conor Walsh followed by an equally impressive effort by centre-back Oisin Dowling. Lorcan Rooney and Michael Frawley were beginning to get on top at midfield for 'Crokes and their hard work was rewarded when Daniel Keegan levelled the game with a good finish from close range. The impressive Conor McNicholas was dominant at full-back for 'Crokes and he and his partner in the full back line, the honest and hard working Ciaran Hennessy, kept out any further Cuala attacks. The 2 wing backs of Tom Bruen and Joe Leddy were solid throughout and showed great determination to keep the lively Cuala forwards at bay. On the stroke of half time Daniel Keegan forced the ball over the line for what was probably the most important score of the game. 'Crokes would turn with the wind in their backs with a slightly flattering 3 point lead.

While the first half was tight there was no doubting who the better team was in the second half. Conor Walsh opened the scoring with his second well taken point. Jean De Baillencourt was introduced for Tom Bruen early in the second half and did no wrong. 'Crokes captain, Sean Gorman began to get the better of his man at wing forward and beside him at number 11 the eager and hard working John Maher ensured a substantial supply of ball hit the full forward line. The pressure was rewarded in a 3 minute spell that put the result in no doubt. First Maher, and then Walsh and the hard working Dan Dowling, goaled for 'Crokes to leave 'Cuala with an impossible task. To their eternal credit they never gave up and apart from a point from a free by 'Crokes mid-fielder Michael Frawley Cuala finished strong. They were rewarded with a goal 3 minutes from full time but it was never going to spark a sufficient fightback and the cup was bound for Glenalbyn.

 

U12 Div 1 Cup Final : Kilmacud Crokes(1) 3-5         Lucan Sarsfields 6-4

'Crokes can have no complaints about the result of this high quality Division 1 cup final. A skillful, tough and fit Lucan outfit were always ahead in this well contested final at Monastery Road on Saturday.

 'Crokes will rue some hesitant defending that probably yielded goals to their opponents at crucial times. In the first half Lucan, playing with the breeze, struck early and were 2-2 to 0-1 up after 10 minutes. Alex Considine breathed live into the 'Crokes challenge with a great goal when under pressure from several Lucan defenders. Lucan, with some sweet hurlers in each line struck again for 2 vital goals before half time and, although Considine converted 2 frees and saw another shot for a point sneek in under the bar, Lucan lead 4-3 to 2-2 at half time.

The crucial score came 5 minutes into the second half when again after 'Crokes failed to clear the lively Lucan wing forward goaled to give them a 10 point cushion. Points were swapped by both teams, including a fine effort from long range by Tom Fox, before Considine again broke through for his third, bring the margin back to 5 with 8 minutes remaining. 'Crokes needed the next score but it was Lucan who struck and the game was effectively over. A gallant 'Crokes outfit knew they had been beaten by a better team and sportingly applauded the victors at they collected the cup. Best for 'Crokes were Tom Fox, Stevie O'Dwyer, Joe Doyle and Alex Considine.

Team: Cillian Fleming, Martin Connor, Tom Fox, Mick O'Rourke, Eoin Sheehy, Killian Lannigan, Stevid O'Dwyer, Joe Doyle, Aidan Healy, Alex Considine, Stephen Crossan, Fiachra O'Connor, Bryan Cooke

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