Under 16 Hurlers – Travel up to Down and take home the trophy

Date of Match: 18th August 2007

Competition: Ballygalget Under 16 Tournament

Management Team: Pat Halpin, Tom Murphy, Daibhi dePaor, Gearóid O’Riain, Kevin Coakley

Match Report/ Match Highlights:

Under 16 Hurlers – Travel up to Down and take home the trophy

An early start on Saturday saw the Crokes Under 16’s assemble in Glenalbyn at 7.20am and head north in the driving rain.

Arriving at Strangford, there was a short wait for the ferry to take the team over to the Ards Peninsula where a delegate from Ballygalget met the convoy and lead the way to the pitch.

Unfortunately, Lough Giel, the Antrim team had pulled out due to minor commitments, so it was Dungiven from Derry, Crokes from Dublin and Ballygalget from Down who were contesting for the Paddy Slevin trophy.

First up, Ballygalget beat Dungiven, having been behind for a lot of the game, so Crokes were to face Dungiven first. The driving rain had died down to the occasional bout of drizzle and despite all the rain, the pitch was in very good condition.

Dungiven were a big strong team, but Crokes started strongly and played some good hurling and had a twelve points to two points lead at half time. Unfortunately we lost Darren early in the game with a knock to his elbow. Changes were made in the Crokes team at half time and also Dungiven upped their performance and it was a much tighter second half, and Dungiven outscored Crokes by one goal and five points to one goal to one point. At the full time whistle, Crokes were leading by one goal and thirteen points to one goal and five points.

Next up were Ballygalget, a much tighter game and a great game of hurling, despite the conditions. Crokes went into the second half leading by two points (1-04 to 0-05), thanks to an Eoin Dalton goal, however, Naomhan had been unlucky when a cracking shot bounced back off the cross bar. After a stern talking to at half time, Crokes upped their performance, limiting Ballygalget to 1 point in the second half, while scoring 6 points themselves. Crokes ended up winners with a one goal and ten point to six point score.

Overall it was a good workout for the lads, ideal to get kick start Championship preparation. When everyone who traveled did themselves justice on the pitch, it was performances from Cian O’Brien, Hugh Byrne, Sean Murphy, the work rate by the midfield duo of Doughie and Macca, the scoring of Nev, Seanie and Eoin and a marvelous point by Brendan that caught the eye.

After a fine feed, the team headed to Newry to support the Dublin Under 21’s who beat Derry to qualify for the All Ireland final.

On behalf of the management and players, thanks must go to Ballygalget for the invitation and for their generous hospitality. Thanks also to all the parents who traveled up with us to provide transport and support.

Kilmacud Crokes:
Barry Mulligan, Peter MacCague, Paul Collins, Cian O’Brien, Hugh Byrne, Bill O’Carroll, Sean Murphy, Jack Doughan, , Killian Doherty, Eoin Dalton, Darren McVeigh,, Mark Lynsky, Johnny Brew , Naomhan Reardon, Seanie McGrath,.

Subs: Brendan Halpin, Keith Hogarty, Louis Whelan.

Unavailable: - Alan Carr, Jack Kelly, Eddie O’Byrne.

Scorers;
Crokes: Naomhan Reardon (1-07), Seanie McGrath (0-05 (3f)), Eoin Dalton (1 – 02), Killian Doherty (0-03), Darren McVeigh (0-02), Johnny Brew (0-02), Brendan Halpin (0-01), Jack Doughan (0-01)