Fantastic Feile Victory

Kilmacud Crokes 2-8 Na Fianna 1-8.

On Sunday 15th May 2011 the Kilmacud Crokes under 14A’s claimed the club’s fourth Dublin Division 1 Feile na nGael title in seven years, and the third in four consecutive final appearances, with a well merited win over Na Fianna at Parnell Park.

Under the competition’s rules this game was played in two twenty minute halves.  The first instalment was quarter the way through when the northsiders pounced for a goal.  Points from Fergal Whitely and Stevie O’Dwyer (free) followed by a goal from Alex Considine put Crokes 1-2 to 1-0 clear after nine minutes.  Na Fianna then got four unanswered points and but for heroic defending against the strong wind it might have been more.  During this period goalkeeper Cathal Keane dealt with everything that came his way.  The full back line of Conor McNicholas, Mark O’Rourke and Conor Kelly repelled all boarders and centre back Dara Butler was immense. With time almost up a Fergal Whitely ball was superbly gathered by Alex Considine and the net billowed.  Crokes were back in front, 2-2 to 1-4.  Not to be outdone Na Fianna came back at them and the half finished level, 2-2 to 1-5.

It took five minutes for the first score of the second half to come, in the form of a Stevie O’Dwyer pointed free.  Within two minutes the opposition equalised from a free.  Young O’Dwyer then notched his third free conversion to put his team in front by the minimum.  Crokes were now motoring well in all departments.  Wing backs Eoin Sheehy and Ronan Hayes powered into the game.  Fiachra O’Connor and Tom Fox were now clearly having the better of the midfield exchanges.  Conn O’Cleirigh continued to drive at the Moibhi Road rearguard while Calum Pearson was giving his marker considerable trouble.  In the fortieth minute Conor O’Dwyer scored a glorious point from 45 metres.  Sixty seconds later Fiachra O’Connor repeated the trick from a similar distance. 

2-6 to 1-6 clear the Kilmacud boys kept up the pressure.  Fergal Whitely set up Conn O’Cleirigh whose pull was just wide.  Fiachra Tucker was also having an impact.  With four minutes on the clock Mark O’Rourke found Stevie O’Dwyer with a long accurate free.  The wing forward fed Fergal Whitely, now operating at full forward, and the latter’s hard work was rewarded with a point.  Shortly afterwards a Na Fianna attack brought the gap back to 2-7 to 1-7.  Crokes came forward again and with just a minute remaining Conor O’Dwyer got his second and his side’s insurance score.  Na Fianna did get one back before matters concluded 2-8 to 1-8.

This was a splendid game in the conditions.  Well done to the players, families and all concerned with the team, especially the management group of Colm Maher, Niall Butler, James O’Cleirigh, Dermot Connor and Paul Gorman.  Thanks to all those who helped develop these players along the way particularly Tony Fleming and Gerry French.  Our gratitude also to the Feile fundraising group and the under 15 parents who catered and organised for the Feile weekend as well as to Dr Tiernan Murray.

The national finals in Galway beckon on the weekend of June 24-26 where our hosts will be Loughrea.

Team: C Keane, C McNicholas, M O’Rourke, C Kelly, R Hayes, D Butler, E Sheehy, T Fox, F O’Connor (0-1), S O’Dwyer (0-3, f-3), C O’Cleirigh, F Whitely (0-2), C O’Dwyer (0-2), A Considine (2-0), C Pearson.  Subs: F Tucker for C Pearson, C Fleming, J Maher, A Tuck, C Kealy, K Lannigan and J Gibbons.

For photos, courtesy of Steven Dagg and others, click HERE or on the photo below!

To see the Crokes' goals and trophy presentantion click 'play' below!