Classy Crokes crowned Feile Peil Div 1 champions

Sun, 30th June 2019

Kilmacud Crokes were crowned National Feile Peil na nOg Division 1 champions on Sunday afternoon when defeating South London 6-2 to 3-2 in the top-flight final at the Connacht Centre of Excellence.

Crokes made a flying start in the decider and by the interval had opened up a commanding 5-1 to 0-0 lead.

However, they the Dublin champions to hold off a battling London comeback in the second half - at one stage the Londoners cut the deficit to 5-2 to 3-1.

Crokes made a blistering start to proceedings with early goals from David Purcell and Ciarán Donovan as their attacking unit combined to telling effect.

Joe Quigley converted a free before further goals from Ciarán Donovan and Joe Quigley, following good work by David Purcell, made it 4-1 to 0-0.

Before the interval Johnny Gossan hit Crokes fith goal to give his side a 16-point half-time lead, 5-1 to 0-0.

Early in the second half a Brendan Kenny free extended Crokes' lead but they then had to survive a fightback from South London who closed the gap to 5-2 to 3-1.

However, Crokes made sure of victory when Ciarán Donovan completed his hat-trick of goals.

In their semi-final Crokes defeated Claregalway (Galway) 3-4 to 1-6 after overcoming Naas (Kildare), 3-5 to 0-4 in their quarter-final.

Crokes topped Division 1 Group D on scoring difference following their encounters on Friday and Saturday morning.

The Stillorgan side defeated Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin 2-11 to 0-3 in their opening before then losing to Westport 1-6 to 1-4 but their overall scoring difference following their 5-5 to 2-3 victory over New York saw them progress to the semi-finals as group winners.

Erin's Isle won the Division 2 Shield when defeating St Paul's (Antrim) 1-2 to 0-4 in the final. They had beaten Portarlington (Laois) in their semi-final (2-5 to 1-2) and Eire Og Nenagh (Tipperary) in the quarter-final (2-7 to 1-3).

In Division 12 Fingal Ravens (pictured below) lifted the national title when defeating Ballyholland (Down) 3-6 to 3-5 in the final in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Results: Feile Peil na nOg