Senior Hurlers Narrowly Lose Out to Raharney

On Saturday afternoon a depleted the Senior side travelled down to Raharney, Co Westmeath in their last group game in the Leinster League. Unfortunately due to injury and family commitments, a number of the panel were unavailable.

 

The game started in beautiful sunshine and although Crokes open brightly, it was Raharney who open the scoring with a converted free three minutes into the game, Sean McGrath responded a minute with his first point of the day and two minutes later, Barry Mulligan received an inch perfect pass from Sean and rattled the back of the net. The next 14 minutes were barren in scoring terms for Crokes but Raharney managed to add three points during this period to level the score. The O’Rourke brothers responded with a point a piece and Sean added his second point with a converted free to give Crokes a 3 point lead. However, Raharney upped their game and scored 1 goal and 2 points in the last 3 minutes of the half to give them a 2 point margin at the break, with a 1-6 to 1-4 scoreline.

 

Raharney started the second half where they finished off the first, with two unanswered points to extend their lead. Darren stopped the rot from a Crokes perspective, with a well taken point from the wing 11 minutes into the half, then Barry Mulligan rocked the home side with another well taken goal after a free flowing move involving Barry O’Rourke, Sean McGrath and Ken Kelly. With the sides now level, Shane O’Rourke traded a point with Raharney before the home side again scored a goal to move three points in front with 6 minutes left on the clock. Points from Sean with another converted free, Jonathan and Shane O’Rourke Shane O’Rourke levelled the score again with 4 minutes to go. Raharney crept back into the lead with a converted free but again Sean level the score with another accurate free. But in the dying seconds of the game, Raharney latched onto a misguided clearance and scored a long range point to seal victory for the home side in this tight competitive game. The final score was 2-11 to 2-10 for Raharney.

 

Although it was a dejected convoy that headed back down the M4, overall it was a promising display from this young side. Gary, Jonathan, Karl and Ken, all from last year’s Minor team should be pleased with their performances. Thanks to Raharney for the spread of tea and sandwiches after the game.

 

Team: - Eoin Dalton, Shane McNicholas, William McEvoy, Adrian Grogan, Darren McVeigh (0-01), James Burke, Gary Melican, Shane O’Rourke (capt) (0-03), Barry O’Rourke (0-01), Michael Dalton, Sean McGrath (0-04 - 3 x f), Karl Russell, Ken Kelly, Barry Mulligan (2-00), Jonathon Hayes (0-01), subs:- Peter MacCague for Mick Dalton

To see images of this match click on the photo above or click HERE!