Under 13B's Put Up Great Fight

Deerpark was the venue for the under 13B’s division 4 tie with Clondalkin Round Towers.  This was an exciting game that swung both ways.  Early Crokes pressure, where the half forward line of Daithi Sultan, Ronan Boyce and James McDonald was prominent, well supported by midfielder Matthew Morrissey, with corner forward Mark Guilfoyle looking dangerous, had the visitors on the back foot but it was Towers who registered the first scores.  A well taken opportunistic goal by Ciaran Gorman after thirteen minutes brought Crokes back into it.  An almost instant reply in kind from Towers was matched by a finish to the net on the part of Barry Hudson from a thirty metre free with a quarter gone.  The midfielder had a minor from a placed ball six minutes later.  The first half exchanges continued to be frenetic before the sides broke for respite with Towers ahead 3-4 to 2-1.

With centre back Oisin O’Siochru dominant at No.6 ably flanked by Mika McKeever and Alex McEvoy (following his move outfield) Crokes powered into the second half despite the setback of conceding an early goal.  A Barry Hudson point and Daithi Sultan goal in quick succession made it 4-6 to 3-2 after forty minutes.  Clondalkin then laid siege to the Crokes goal but found the full back line of Luke Shearer, Cian Moriarty and Brian Steadman impregnable with goalkeeper Dylan Hare on top of his game making several good saves and clearing his lines well.  With ten minutes remaining full forward Sean O’Sullivan was rewarded for his perseverance with a green flag.  This prompted a period of pressure for the home side but it was enough to claim the spoils as Towers came home 5-8 to 4-2 to the good.

Team:

Alex McEvoy, Luke Shearer, Cian Moriarty, Brian Steadman, Dylan Hare, Oisin O’Siochru, Mika McKeever, Matthew Morrissey, Barry Hudson, James McDonald, Daithi Sultan, Ronan Boyce, Mark Guilfoyle, Sean O’Sullivan, Ciaran Gorman.