Into the West!

This year’s trip away with Kilmacud Crokes hurlers was an unseasonably early trip to Galway. The day started brightly as our excited first time travellers and their not yet awake mums and dads got aboard the convoy of busses in Glenalbyn. We were quickly motoring down the M4 and soon enough the rain appeared but gladly did not dampen the high spirits. Our destination was the Carnmore club in the shadow of Galway International Airport.

A short 2 hours or so later we had arrived at the club and what a welcome we received. The coaches had lined up their players and we were given a guard of honour from the home team as we got off the bus. We got ourselves togged out and while the parents had a very tasty and much needed cup of tea our lads set about making themselves at home.

Even though most of our kids have some form of ‘country blood’ in their veins, the fresh country smells took a little getting used to for our sons cultured city slicker nostrils....... We quickly assured them that they would be fine and they got into their warm up drills.

Soon it was time to start the matches. We started slowly but gradually got into the games and held our own in all matches. Conditions were soft underfoot and the weather did not allow for free-flowing hurling but our lads stuck to the task and duly got stuck in. The matches were hard but fair and both sides got their fair share of knocks and bruises but none with any malice or bad intent. In the end the matches finished all square with both teams having won one match and lost one.

 

After the matches we got some great photos with our new friends from Carnmore as you can see from below.

 

A quick cup of tea later, we said our goodbyes and we were off for lunch to the Salthill Hotel in Galway. Some of the others had made it there ahead of us and when we had arrived we were well taken care of and duly refuelled with a very tasty lunch. After lunch, we hit Pearse Stadium to see the Dub’s take on Galway. Sadly our team were second best on the day but I’m sure they will play better next time out. After the match, we were back on the buses and back on the road home. All tired but in good form and the appetites whetted for more of the same in the years to come!!

 

To see more images of the March West click on the photos below, or click HERE

 

For more detailed reports on how that various teams got on click HERE, or on the report carrier below!

For an excellent report (by Roddy Breen and Vincent Hargaden, with photos by Morgan O'Connell) on the U9's matches against Cappataggle click HERE or on the image below