Crokes ease past Cuala To Set Up Quarter Final Against Na Fianna

KILMACUD CROKES 2-23 

CUALA 0-16 

A goal in either half from Fergal Whitely helped Kilmacud Crokes to an impressive thirteen-point win over Cuala in their Go Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship Group 1 encounter at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

Their reward is a slightly dubious one, finishing second in the group behind Lucan Sarsfields, and facing a quarter-final encounter against Na Fianna, in what is a repeat of the last two county finals.

The holders could not have wished for a better start as Fergal Whitely bundled home from close range in the opening minute after Alex Considine’s powerful run had caused havoc in the Cuala defence.

Oisin O’Rorke added two frees before Cuala opened their own account through a well-worked point from Dara Twomey in the 5^th minute.

Whitely could, and should, have added a second goal soon after but after racing through unopposed, he saw his low shot superbly blocked by Sean Brennan, with Eoghan O’Callaghan clearing the ball before Whitely could pounce for the rebound.

Michael Conroy popped over a point at the opposite end but Crokes found it far easier to add to their tally with the free-taking of O’Rorke and points from Caolan Conway, Michael Roche and Dara Purcell extending their advantage.

However, their sticky opponents continued to remain in touch with Liam Murphy converting three frees, to augment further scores from Sean Moran, Jamie Conroy and Diarmuid Ó Floinn.

Kilmacud’s ability to generate scores was the key difference between the teams with Roche clipping over two fine points towards the end of the half and a brilliant Brendan Kenny score pushed Crokes 1-14 to 0-8 ahead by the interval.

Whitely increased that lead with a smart point within thirty seconds of the restart but Cuala’s determination to remain on their coattails results in a trio of Murphy points and a fine Conall O’Toole effort.

However, all that promising work was undone in a split second as the lively Roche gathered possession before finding the run of Whitely, who cut inside before leaving Brennan helpless from eight yards.

Cuala refused to accept their perceived fate as they added to their tally thanks to Jake Malone and Cormac Spain as Considine was denied on a couple of occasions at the opposite end through some brave, last-ditch interventions by the Cuala defence.

Their efforts never looked likely to salvage their situation as the contest petered out in the final quarter with O’Rorke taking his personal tally to 0-12 by the final whistle.

Scorers – Kilmacud Crokes: O O’Rorke 0-12 (9f, 1 ‘65’), F Whitely 2-1, M Roche, D Purcell 0-3 each, B Kenny, C Conway, S Veale, F Ó Ceallaigh 0-1 apiece. Cuala: L Murphy 0-8 (7f), J Malone, S Moran, M Conroy, D Ó Floinn, D Twomey, J Conroy, C O’Toole, C Spain 0-1 apiece.

Kilmacud Crokes: E Gibbons; B Kenny, B Sheehy, C Ryan; C Ó Riain, C Ó Cathasaigh, B O’Carroll; B Hayes, D Purcell; C Conway, O O’Rorke, F Whitely; S Veale, A Considine, M Roche. Subs: S Purcell for Veale (Blood Sub 24-31), C Mac Gabhann for Sheehy (36), S Purcell for Kenny (45), F Ó Ceallaigh for Considine (50), R Costelloe for Roche (55), L O’Loughlin for Veale (57).

Cuala: S Brennan; S Timlin, J Sheanon, E O’Callaghan; J Malone, S Moran, A Power; Cillian Sheanon, M Conroy; J Conroy, D Twomey, D Ó Floinn; C O’Toole, L Murphy, D O’Connell. Subs: D Duggan for Timlin (39), S Gaffney for Twomey (41), C Spain for Sheanon (46), D Ryan for J Sheanon (51), R Malone for M Conroy (55).

Referee: Sean Stack (Parnell’s)