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On a lovely Spring morning in Deerpark, Kilmacud Crokes Under-11 Hurlers showed plenty of skill and determination with an emphatic victory over James Stephens of Kilkenny. This was a highly focused and accomplished performance from the Stillorgan boys and bodes well for the future. Unlike many travelling teams, the visitors were first out of the blocks with a good point scored after only two minutes. Eoin Barr quickly had the teams on level terms with a well taken long range point before Niall Brady put Crokes in the driving seat with two good goals – the second after a deceptive pass from Michael Taaffe. At mid-field Tom Kehoe was winning good ball and this resulted in a neat point after eleven minutes. Stephen Horgan then showed his skill with two points before two late first-half goals from Cathal O’Dwyer and Michael Gibbons left the interval score 4-4 to 0-1 in favour of the home team.
On the resumption, Kilmacud Crokes continued where they left off with Eoin Barr pointing before Nathan Slattery had the net bulging with a low hard shot. Paul Buckley then soloed forward to score a lovely point and this was followed by a similar score from Michael Gibbons, who has really upped his game this season. Eoin Barr then sent over another excellent point to leave James Stephens with a mountain to climb. In fairness, the Kilkenny lads battled on and never gave up. The surprising thing at this stage was that Dylan Crossan, who had been having a great game at corner forward had yet to register on the scoreboard. This was soon to change as two quick-fire goals from Dylan finished the game as a contest. Niall Bezeci was not to be outdone, however, as he too finished twice to the net before Nathan Slattery put the icing on the cake with a final well struck point.
In summary, the whole Kilmacud Crokes team played superbly from start to finish. Eamonn Keating was as sound as ever in goal and his puck-outs were a feature. In front of him, the full-back line of Scott Penney, Sam Kenny, Lorcan O’Connor and, later, Michael MacNulty did not put a foot wrong. Unfortunately, Daniel Crowley received an injury shortly after coming on but hopefully he will be back in action by the weekend. The half-back line of Paul Buckley, Eoin Barr and Michael Gibbons always went for the ball as did Hugh Bermingham, who played really well when he came on. The most pleasing aspect of the mid-field play was that both David Cullen and Tom Kehoe never drifted too far out of position and this made it very difficult for James Stephens to gain easy possession. The half-forward line of Stephen Horgan, Michael Taaffe, Adam Cantwell and, when moved from full-forward, Cathal O’Dwyer all fought hard to gain possession and were particularly effective in the air. Nor can the full-forwards be forgotten, where Dylan Crossan and the gutsy Niall Brady were a revelation, particularly in the first half, when they prevented the ball from going wide on numerous occasions. In the second half Nathan Slattery, Niall Bezeci and Cian Coleman all had their moments.
Kilmacud Crokes:- Eamonn Keating; Scott Penney, Sam Kenny, Lorcan O’Connor; Paul Buckley (0-1), Eoin Barr (0-3), Michael Gibbons (0-1); David Cullen (0-1), Tom Kehoe (Capt.) (0-1); Stephen Horgan (0-2), Michael Taaffe (1-0), Adam Cantwell; Niall Brady (2-0), Cathal O’Dwyer (1-0), Dylan Crossan (2-0). Subs:- Michael MacNulty for Sam Kenny (h.t.), Daniel Crowley for Lorcan O’Connor (h.t.), Nathan Slattery (1-1) for Dylan Crossan (h.t.), Niall Bezeci (2-0) for Niall Brady (31mins), Hugh Bermingham for Tom Kehoe (32mins) and Cian Coleman for Michael Taaffe (32mins).
Referee:- Eamonn Keating (Snr.)
Mentors:- Alan Kehoe, Ed Gibbons, Joe O’Connor, Tony Buckley, Joan Bezeci, Peter Kenny, Conor Crowley, Seamus Cantwell and Liam Coughlan.
Supporters included:- Margaret Penny, Ailbhe O’Connor, Tony Barr, Tissa Gibbons, Veronica Cullen, Pat Horgan, Eileen Horgan, Brendan Horgan, Avril Horgan, Cara Taaffe, Orla Brady, Martin Crossan, Paul Slattery, Paul Bermingham, Karl Coleman, Chris MacNulty, Joe O’Dwyer, Mary O’Dwyer, Eoghan O’Dwyer
