KILMACUD CROKES 2-10 CUALA 0-9
Kilmacud Crokes are the new Dublin senior hurling champions after capturing the title for the first time since 1985 in Sunday’s Evening Herald Dublin SHC ‘A’ decider at Parnell Park.
Two first half goals were central to Crokes victory with Dublin seniors Barry O’Rorke and Ryan O’Dwyer raising green flags to steer the Stillorgan men to victory.
The first goal arrived in the 13th minute when O’Rorke was in the right place at the right time to sweep the sliotar to the net after the original effort from Kevin O’Loughlin had come back off the post.
Five minutes before the interval Crokes struck for goal again – this time O’Dwyer got his stick to a long free from Sean McGrath to redirect the sliotar to the net.
Despite the best efforts from David Treacy, Barry Connolly and Sean Moran it was Crokes who held the upperhand as they utilised possession more astutely while Ross O’Carroll was getting through an amount of hard work out the field for the eventual champions to lead 2-3 to 0-4 at half-time.
Cian Waldron opened the second half scoring with a point for Cuala from a Treacy handpass and three Connolly points (two frees) in response to one from Ross O’Carroll hinted at a Cuala scoring surge.
However, it was not to be as Crokes lifted their game in the concluding ten minutes to outscore their opponents 0-6 to 0-1 over the closing stages.
McGrath (two) and O’Loughlin were on target form placed balls while defender Jack Doughan joined the attack to split the posts, sub Damien Kelly was also on target following good work from the influential Dillon Mulligan and as reward for his afternoon’s toil Mulligan got in on the scoring act himself as Crokes drove on to victory.
Crokes progress to represent Dublin in the Leinster Club SHC and they will face Wexford champions, Oulart the Ballagh (2-12 to 0-13 victors over Faythe Harriers in their county final), in Parnell Park on Sunday, November 4.
SCORERS – Kilmacud Crokes: S MGrath 0-3 (0-1f), B O’Rorke, R O’Dwyer 1-0 each, Ross O’Carroll, K O’Loughlin (0-2f) 0-2 each, J Doughan, D Kelly, D Mulligan 0-1 each. Cuala: B Connolly 0-5 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘65’), C Waldron 0-2, D Treacy, S Moran 0-1 each.
KILMACUD CROKES: M Collins; R Walsh, N Corcoran, J Doughan; R OLoughlin, Rory OCarroll, B OCarroll; C Clinton, D Mulligan; Ross OCarroll. R ODwyer, J Sweeney; B ORorke, S McGrath, K OLoughlin. Subs: D Kelly for B ORorke (46), O ORorke for McGrath (52).
CUALA: S Brennan; R Reid, P Schutte, S Timlin; C Gough, O Gough, S Moran; B Browne, C OCallaghan; B Fitzgerald, C Cronin, B Connolly; M Schutte, C Waldron, D Treacy. Subs: L Keating for Fitzgerald (h-t), S Stapleton for B Browne (51).
REF: P Behan (Trinity Gaels).
ATTENDANCE: 4,000 (Est).
** Ballyboden St Endas won their sixth Dublin AHL1 title when they defeated Craobh Chiaráin 0-10 to 0-7 in Saturdays final at Clonshaugh.
