Junior E's Keep Their Side Up

Wins over Na Fianna and now Clontarf (on Tuesday 11th May 2010) take the Juniors E's into top spot in their 2010 championship campaign.

The Clontarf game was played at the latter's impressive public/private partnership facility in St Anne's Park. As the evening dimmed the floodlights were turned on for the final forty minutes. Thanks to points from the O’Keeffes (Ian and Shane) Crokes were two up within five minutes. Six minutes later Clontarf opened their account with a minor. The sides then exchanged points before Ian O’Keeffe slotted over to make it 0-4 to 0-2. Just before that Ciaran McGrath saw a goal bound shot saved. Crokes had the better of the remainder of the half and went into the break 0-8 to 0-4 ahead, the grace note coming courtesy of a fine Thomas Clarke white flag in the dying minute.

Two quick points on the resumption put more daylight between the teams. The seasiders got one back and then in the forty second minute Ian O’Keeffe raised a green flag to put the issue beyond doubt at 1-10 to 0-5. In what was left of the game Crokes were outscored by their opponents but went on to win 1-13 to 1-8.

This was a victory founded on a commanding defensive display where Gavin Hyland was sound in goal, Sean Boyd tight in the left corner and the half back line of Steven Beale, Niall McIntyre and Pat Kennedy, in the centre, impregnable. Midfielder Gary Melican put in a workmanlike hour while Thomas Clarke and Ian O’Keeffe were always threatening up front.

Team: G Hyland, B Halpin, R Egan, S Boyd, S Beale, P Kennedy, N McIntyre, S O’Keeffe, G Melican, D Brennan, P Byrne, T Clarke, C McGrath, B Gavigan, I O’Keeffe. Subs: J Butler for B Gavigan (36 mins), C Connolly for B Halpin (44 mins) and J Galvin for D Brennan (52 mins).