Crokes boss De Paor delighted with his side’s work-rate

Kilmacud Crokes senior hurling manager Aodán De Paor was particularly happy with the work-rate of his players as they opened their Dublin SHC 'A' Group 2 account in style with victory over southside rivals Ballyboden St Enda's last Sunday afternoon in Parnell Park.

A dominant spell either side of the half-time break saw Crokes cruise to a 14-point (4-18 to 0-16) victory with their goals coming from Ronan Hayes (two, one penalty), Marc Howard and Alex Considine.

“They’ve been a bit of a bogey team for our lads over the years," said Aodán.

“So that was pleasing obviously enough. We’ve worked hard the last three weeks. You don’t know how to prepare your team when you have three weeks to do it.

“The first two weeks we worked hard and maybe struggled a bit in challenge matches and in training. But it seemed to pay off this week," he added.

“We’re a fairly young team compared to Ballyboden as well I suppose,which definitely helped with the day that was in it.

“The second half, we got in front with the couple of goals and what I was particularly happy with was that we didn’t really let them back into it.

“We kept working. It’s often a thing with us, they tend to kind of drop off a bit when they get a cushion. But they didn’t. 

"The work-rate was very pleasing,” concluded the former Dublin senior hurler.

Crokes are away to Craobh Chiaráin in their next round-robin game on Wednesday, July 29 in Clonshaugh (7.30) while Scoil Uí Chonaill host Boden at the same time in Clontarf Road.

Ballyboden St Enda's will be very determined to bounce back from Sunday's defeat.

“Obviously we looked at the fact they have very good forwards,” said Boden boss Joe Fortune.

“When you have Ronan Hayes and Oisín (O'Rorke) and Considine inside, it’s a fierce strong full-forward line. Am I surprised? No, look, I’m taken aback with ourselves.

“I thought we were in a better place. I have spoken to managers over the last couple of weeks and they have all kind of said the same thing ... you don’t really know where you are until you get back out to competitive fare.

“The last few weeks and months have been strange and now it’s up to us to lift it again.

“Do I think that’s the end of us? Not a chance. I think there’s a bite in them and they’ll be back," added Joe.

“The next couple of weeks will tell a lot, we need a big performance against Scoil and then Craobh.

“Look, I’m really disappointed personally with the result but that happens in sport.”