Busy Weekend for U13s at Home and on the Road:
Saturday April 24th
KC3 4-4 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 2-3
The KC3 team started the weekend off to a flyer with a great win in Div 5 against Clanna Gael Fontenoy in Ringsend. Assisted by some of the U12s the lads put in a spirited performance to earn their first win of the season.
Squad: Daniel KEEGAN; Michael Frawley; Michael KANE; Khalil SIEGRIST; Joe LEDDY; Sean MCSHARRY; Sean Dunbar; Conal Keane; Dara Kennedy; Neil Mooney; Daithi Sultan; Jack Stacey; Mark Phelan; Ben Rafter
KC B 3-5 Carrigtohill 2-7
In driving rain on Saturday evening a strong U13B team took the field against Carrigtohill. Playing into the elements in the first half the travelling team went in 1-7 to 1-1 down at the break. The margin kept down by the brave goalkeeping of Jim Gibbons. In the second half the lead was quickly wiped out thanks to a goal from Chris Kealy and 1-1 from Tom Fox. Fox added 4 more points (3 frees) to put daylight between the sides but Carricg did not lie down and faught to the bitter end, pulling back a goal to leave the 'Crokes nerves frayed when the final whistle came. Best for 'Crokes were: Jim Gibbons, Tom Fox, Brian Grogan, Conor Kelly, Cian Ryan. Thanks to Carrig for hosting us and for their offer of refreshments. On this occasion we declined the offer as we had agreed to dine together after the Sars game (see below) but it was nonetheless greatly appreciated.
KC A 5-5 Sarsfields 6-7
'Crokes flew out of the traps in this game, played under lights on Sars immaculate pitch, and were 3-4 to a point up after 20 minutes. 3-2 came from an on fire Alex Considine at full forward with Fiachra O'Connor chipping in with 2 points and Conor O'Dwyer one. In reality, it could have been 5-4, as Alex missed narrowly from point blank range and also hit the crossbar in that period. Whether the 'Crokes lads collectively thought they were going to be in for an easy night or Sars summoned some bit of fight from somewhere is open to arguement but either way, the home side did get themselves back into the game by half time. 3 sloppy goals, 2 coming from high balls into the 'Crokes full back line gave Sars the lifeline the needed and left just 3 points between the teams, 3-5 to 3-2. The rain fell stronger as the second half began and the travelling team turned to face the elements. Sars were flying by now and took the lead within 10 mins with 4 well taken points. Then the goal came that could have broken the 'Crokes lads hearts. Not so. They redoubled their efforts and were rewarded with a goal by Callum Pearson from a rebound of a Michael Roche shot. The match was now there for either team with 7 mins to go. Sood after, a speculative Sars shot for a point droped under the angle of the crossbar and although Cillian Fleming got his stick to it is squirmed over the line. Not done, 'Crokes attacked again. With 3 mins left Adam Tuck was put clear by Fergal Whitely. He had alot of work to do but soloed the ball as close to the 'keeper as he dared and passed it to the net. Back to a point. Unfortunately, another high ball caused the defence problems and an unmarked corner forward finished past a helpless Fleming. This time there was no more time to recover and a point was added on the final whistle to leave 5 between the teams. A great battle had taken place but the 'Crokes lads were left to rue giving up the big early lead. Best performers were Darragh Butler, Cathal Keane, Conor O'Dwyer, Michael Roche and Stevie O'Dwyer.
After drying off the Sars club treated but the A and B squad (35 in all) plus the travelling army of mentors and parents (14) to a feast. We are enormously grateful for their hospitality.
KC A 3-6 Na Piarsaigh A 3-18
This game was delayed by a 20 minute deluge but was eventually played in great conditions. Na Piarsaigh started well and popped oved 3 nice early wind assisted points. Conor O'Dwyer responded with a pointed free before Fiachra O'Connor forced home a goal from close range. Points were traded (one from Fergal Whitely) and 3 from Na Piarsaigh leaving the score 0-6 to 1-2 after 20 mins. Then came a fairly crucial goal as a long range Na Piarsaigh free was allowed drop in the square and was forced home from close range. This worrying pattern will no doubt be worked on by the 'Crokes mentors and players and it was the start of a very dominent spell where 6 further points were added by the home side with nothing coming in response. HT 1-12 to 1-2.
The situation was not hopeless as the wind was to favour the 'Crokes men in the second half and the Na Pairsaigh full forward was given the line just before half time for a very silly challenge on Darragh Butler.
Na Piarsaigh drew first blood in the second half but 'Crokes eventually got moving and 2 points from Conor O'Dwyer (1f) and a well worked goal from Fergal Whitely brought the margin back to 8 with 15 minutes left. There were 5 minutes when 'Crokes might have managed a comeback but couldn't capitalise on good possession. Any chance was extinguished by a neatly finished poachers goal by the home corner forward and a bizarre own goal. The 'Crokes men battled to the end and finished with points from Alex Considine and O'Dwyer and a well taken goal from a ground pull by Considine.
Best for Crokes were Cathal Keane, Mark O'Rourke, Brian Grogan, Fiachra O' Connor and Fergal Whitely.
KC B 4-10 Na Piarsaigh B 3-2
Early goals from Tom Fox and Conn O'Cleirigh along with points from Oisin Dowling and Fox gave the travelling team a commanding, if a little flattering 3-6 to 1-0, wind assisted lead at half time. Na Piarsaigh got a early point on the resumption but the revival never materialised O'Cleirigh, Stephen Crossan and Mattie Hogan added 1-4 between them and while the locals forced 2 fine goals the result was never in doubt. Best for 'Crokes were Johnny Maher, Oisin Doherty, Tom Fox Chris Kealy and Conn O'Cleirigh.
Thanks to our old friends in Na Piarsaigh for hosting us once again.
Squads:
Cillian Fleming, Conor McNicholas, Darragh Butler, Mark O'Rourke, Fiachra Tucker, Cathal Keane, Eoin Sheehy, Stevie O'Dwyer, Adam Tuck, Fiachra O'Connor, Alex Considine, Fergal Whitely, Conor O'Dwyer, Callum Pearson, Michael Roche, Jim Gibbons, Cian Ryan, Conor Kelly, Johnny Maher, Martin Connor, Brian Grogan, Stephen McEntee, Oisin Doherty, Aidan Healy, Stephen Crossan, Chris Kealy, Mattie Hogan, Conn O'Cleirigh, Tom Fox, Killian Lannigan, Sean Gorman, Conor Walsh, Joey Dalton, Ciaran Hennessey, Louis De Courcy