Second Win in Three Days for Inters

Kilmacud Crokes 1-14, Trinity Gaels 0-13

 Brave would have been the gambler prepared to punt on a Crokes win at half time in this AHL3 game at Silverpark on Friday 11th June 2010.  Admittedly playing against a strong wind and into the bright evening sun, there seemed no way back from an 0-12 to 0-3 deficit.  The ease with which scores came for Trinity Gaels as well as the rather uninspired display by Crokes, whose three scores came from placed balls, only added to the unease.

 

Whatever was said at half time worked, even if it took a little time to convince.  Declan Browne registered two quick points.  To counter balance three unavailed of goal scoring opportunities (one a blockbuster off the cross bar from Barry Mulligan, another a good save by the Gaels goalie and the third a good block by a defender) suggested it was not to be Crokes night.  Even two further points, from Eoin de Paor and Browne again, could not shake off the feeling the gap was too great.  When Mick Dalton goaled in the forty fourth minute matters took a different complexion.  It was now 0-12 to 1-7.  Game well and truly on.  Two minutes later Barry Mulligan split the posts from long range.  Another free from Declan Browne equalised in the fiftieth minute. 

 

By now the Crokes defence, with Brian Hanamy, Paul Collins and Fergal Monnelly to the fore, had gained the upper hand and well withstood anything Trinity Gaels threw at them.  Such little ball as needed mopping up was well dealt with by Sean Garvey.   Up the field the move of Declan Browne to centre field was paying dividends.  While it took five more minutes for Crokes to score when they did the points came in quick succession from Declan Browne (free), Mick Dalton and Barry Mulligan (two).  Gaels pulled one back to make it 1-13 to 0-13.  As Crokes notched  up three wides and had a goal attempt by Alex Pilkington saved, one might be forgiven a gnawing apprehension the visitors would level.  It was not to be and a long range over from Declan Browne at the death put the icing on a very well earned victory.  For what was an absorbing second half spectacle for the spectators all the players and management deserve great credit.

 

Team:

 

S Garvey, D Canny, F Garvey, P Collins, F Monnelly, B Hanamy, N Mulligan, D Byrne, B Mulligan (0-3), E O’Byrne, L Cantwell, E de Paor (0-1), M O’Dwyer, D Browne (0-9, f-6), M Dalton (1-1).  Subs:  A Pilkington for M O’Dwyer (46 mins) and J Healy-Hayes for L Cantwell (49 mins)

 

To see images of this match click on the camera above!