High scoring game against Ballygunner!
Kilmacud Crokes 13-8 , Ballygunner 9-5
The U12s hosted Stephen Frampton's Ballygunner on Sunday and came out winners in a highly entertaining encounter at Deer Park. In an hour long 13-a-side game on a big open pitch the play was always going to be open and the scores plenty. Crokes laid the groundwork for the win in the first half when Brian Grogan in particular profited from the fast early ball played in by the midfield pairing of the Stevies, O'Dwyer and McEntee, and the half forward line of Johnny Maher, Alex Considine and Chris Kealy. 7-4 to 5-4 was the half time lead Crokes enjoyed after playing into the wind but they knew the had to keep the workrate up, and they did. Darragh Butler had been a rock of strength at full back in the first half and remained so in the second. Luke Gaffney beside him was busy and neat.
The Fiachra's, O'Connor and Tucker, along with Killian Lannigan were a dogged half back line in the first half and rained ball after ball down the field in the second. When introduced at the break, Aidan Healy was honest and hardworking as usual. Adam Tuck moved well up front throughout and when introduced late on Fergal Whitely, Cathal Keane and Callum Pearson did not weaken the side. Behind them all Cillian Fleming was possibly man of the match pulling off some great saves and high catches. The game was close throughout and three late goals from Crokes put a flattering complexion on the scoreboard.
Team: Cillian Fleming, Luke Gaffney, Darragh Butler, Fiachra O'Connor, Fiachra Tucker, Killian Lanigan, Stevie O'Dwyer, Stephen McEntee, Johnny Maher, Alex Considine, Chris Kealy, Brian Grogan, Adam Tuck - Subs Aidan Healy for Fiachra O'Connor (HT), Fergal Whitely for Killian Lannigan (40 mins), Cathal Keane for Chris Kealy (45 mins), Callum Pearson for Stephen McEntee (50 mins).
The Crokes u12 B team found the going tough against a considerably stronger and larger Ballygunner team which included several 13 year olds. 6 gallant Crokes players donned the red of the Deise team (3 in each half) to make it 14 a side. Playing into a strong wind they leaked several goals in the first half and generally found it difficult to live with the physicality of their opponents. However, they did manage to put in a very spirited performance in the second half to stem the tide.
Squad...Mattie Hogan, Martin Connor, Oisin Doherty, Eoin Sheehy, Stephen Crossan, Sean Gorman, Joe Leddy, Daniel Dowling, Jean de Baillencourt, Michael Frawley, Khalil Siegrist, Joey Dalton, Tom Fox, Bryan Cooke, Tom Bruen
After some refreshments kindly laid on by the boys' wonderful mothers, on Mother's Day, both teams proceeded to Parnell Park to see our own Niall Corcoran star in Dublin's great victory over Waterford.