Minor A's off to winning start, B's lose out to Setanta

Minor A's got off to a winning start against Castleknock, while the Minor B's found it tough going against Setanta.

The Minor A team got the league off to a winning start with a good win against a dogged Castleknock side at a frosty Glenalbyn on Sunday morning.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested and Crokes found themselves three points to two behind after ten minutes, both their scores coming from Dónall Keane at center-forward. Gradually as the half wore on the Crokes half-back line began to gain the upper hand with Odhrán Ó Siochrú, Éamonn Allen and Kevin Ó Flannagáin in commanding form. A wonderfully oportunist goal by Michael Crowley and well-taken points by Éamon Allen, Mark McCallion and Mark O’Loughlin put them firmly in the driving seat after twenty minutes. A goal by Mark O’Loughlin before half-time left the Crokes leading 2-7 to 0-4 at the break.

The lads continued to impose their superiority after half-time and scored three quick points in succession. Seán Keating was deadly on the frees, he also chipped in with two goals and a point from play. Further scores were added by Mark O’Loughlin and Mark McCallion. Castleknock battled on and were rewarded with a deflected goal midway through the half. At that stage, however, the result was never in doubt and the final score read Crokes 4-14 to Castleknock’s 1-09. Inexplicably, the referee recorded a 3-12 to 1-10 scoreline, a cause of much animated debate on the sideline.

This was a workman-like win for the Crokes and they know that there will be stiffer challenges ahead and plenty of room for improvement throughout.

Team: Tadhg Murphy, Mikey O’Dwyer, Donncha Ó Murchú, Cillian Ó Sé, Odhrán Ó Siochrú, Éamonn Allen(0-01), Kevin Ó Flannagáin, Mark McCallion (0-02), Ed Campion, Dara Ó Gallchobhair, Dónal Keane (0-03), Ciarán McIntyre, Seán Keating (2-04, 3f) Mark O’Loughlin (1-04), Michael Crowley.

Subs: Fiachra O’Conner for Dara Ó Gallchobhair, Ruairí Geraghty for Michael Crowley.

Report by Joe Ó Murchú

Photos by Diarmuid Ó Gallchobhair

Meantime the Minor B's had it much tougher in their Division 2 clash with Setanta in Poppintree.

On a chilly Sunday morning the Minor B's headed over to Ballymun to play their opening league game in Division 2 versus Setanta.  A youthful team deprived of any 2nd year minors due to illness, they started the game brightly and by the time the half time whistle sounded, were 4 points to the good with a 2-4 to 0-6 scoreline.  However this lead did not fully reflect the competitive nature of the game, as Setanta squandered a number of scoring opportunities.

Harsh words were spoken at half time (to both teams in seems) & unfortunately it was Setanta that took them to heart as they flew out of the blocks in the second half and rattled in 2 goals & two points to no score in the opening 6 minutes.  Unfortunately Crokes struggled to regain any kind of parity around the pitch and ended up loosing 4- 13 to 3-6 to a very game Setanta side.  While there were some very good performances on the Croke's side, as a team we have work to do to step up to this level.

Report by Pat Halpin