U 10’s and U12's Trip to Dungarvan Co. Waterford Sunday 1st April 2011

The day started early with the coach of 25 boys leaving Crokes at 8am, after Fiona Hayes had checked us all on the list and sent us on our way.

We arrived at Dungarvan GAA at 10.45 and went to play straight away. There were two teams and we had two matches each. Both teams won one and lost one. They were good games and the teams were well matched – the long grass proved a challenge to the Dubliners. After a good game we had something to eat.

Thanks to Dungarvan GAA for a fantastic spread, we watched a bit of the Senior match and then got on the bus. It took about 5 minutes to get to the stadium. Before the Dublin Waterford match we got to go onto the pitch and practice until the game started. At half-time we got to go onto the pitch in front of the crowd and play a game against the Dungarvan team for a small game until Dublin and Waterford teams came back for the 2nd half. One of the teams got a great win by a score of 4 -1 to 0-2 to Crokes. The other lads had an unlucky loss of 1-2 to 1-1 to Dungarvan.

I also must thank David Burke for a great day. Thanks to all our coaches and mentors for organising the day.

Can’t wait for the trip on the 22nd!

Charlie Owens 

U12's Report (by Robbie Kinsella)

 April Fools day last Sunday will be a date of significance in the memories of some of our current crop of Under 12 hurlers. It was the day they headed off as part of a Crokes contingent to take on the “Deise” County hurlers of Dungarvan. The overall group consisted of a number of Under 10 teams, an Under 14 team and the Crokes senior team. The plan involved playing games against selected Dungarvan GAA teams and then heading into see the Dublin Hurlers take on Waterford in Fraher field in Dungarvan town. The new M9 motorway made it a very pleasant journey down in plenty of time for our 11:45 game throw-in. 15 of our Under 12’s finest made the trip. They were managed on the day by John Dillon and Kevin Walsh. This was the 1st time this group of lads had played Waterford opposition. They used the collective experiences they had gathered from playing Kilkenny, Tipperary and Galway oppositions on previous trips to good effect and won well in the end. Some of the skill shown on the day, especially their catching of balls in the air and long range points were excellent. Well done lads, you did us proud. The Dungarvan club laid on a super spread for lunch and then it was off into watch Dublin V Waterford. Unfortunately, that result did not go as well as our own. A sincere note of thanks to all in Dungarvan and Crokes who setup a fabulous day out for the boys.

To see some images of the day, including our own Senior Team, click on the photo below!