Na Fianna & Kilmacud Crokes Play Out Enthralling Go-Ahead Ireland SHC 1 Draw

Image courtesy Alan Tully

NA FIANNA 3-14 

KILMACUD CROKES 0-23 

Na Fianna and Kilmacud Crokes remain unbeaten in Group 1 of the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship following their absorbing draw at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

Crokes played the better of the hurling in the opening-half but the concession of three goals to Colin Currie, Ciarán Stacey and Gavin King saw them trailing by half-time.

The contest remained on a knife-edge throughout a thrilling second-half with a free from Oisin O’Rorke with the last puck of the game earning a deserved share of the spoils for Kilmacud.

There was a blistering start to proceedings as Brian Hayes glided over a typically classy points inside nine seconds but the holders replied in the best possible manner as Stacey released Colin Currie for a low finish beyond Eddie Gibbons from ten yards just twenty seconds later.

O’Rorke and Currie traded frees soon after with the former’s brace by the 9^th minute helping mitigate against the concession of that early body blow.

Caolán Conway more than justified his late inclusion with a strong showing at wing-forward that included two smart scores, helping restore Kilmacud’s lead towards the end of the first quarter.

With Crokes missing their twin threat of Ronan Hayes and Alex Considine up top and with Fergal Whitely carrying a knock on the bench, it was left to the likes of O’Rorke and Brian Hayes to keep their scoreboard ticking over.

Playing into the breeze, it was tougher for Na Fianna to make their mark in attack but a brilliant move instigated by Seán Currie, allowed Colin Currie to release Stacey for a composed finish past the helpless Gibbons in the 19^th minute, pushing them three points clear.

Kilmacud were awarded a penalty two minutes later for a foul on Michael Roche but referee Seán Stack overturned his decision following a consultation with his umpires.

Crokes were hardly rattled by that reversal as O’Rorke fired over two sumptuous points from play and Roche added a deserved score in added time to edge his side back in front.

There was one final sting in the tail of the half as Seán Currie was afforded far too much space close to goal and his unselfish play was rewarded through an economic finish by King to leave Na Fianna with a marginal 3-5 to 0-13 interval lead.

Na Fianna’s desire to seek out goal chances at every opportunity could and should have reaped dividends in the early stages of the second-half but Murphy shot wide when well-placed and Donal Burke’s shot a minute later was too close to Gibbons, who parried comfortably.

A glorious solo point by Hayes and an equally sublime sideline ball at the opposite end from King highlighted the quality on show as Kilmacud began to seize the initiative courtesy of scores by Brendan Kenny, Roche and the excellent O’Rorke.

However, the momentum swung back in Na Fianna’s favour with the introduction at midfield of Jack Meagher and his two points in quick succession and a point from distance by goalkeeper Jonno Tracey saw the holders regain the lead by the start of the final quarter.

Dara Purcell and Will Wheatley exchanged points prior to O’Rorke levelling matters with another free in the 49^th minute, proceeding a tension-filled but scoreless twelve-minute period as both sides spurned chances to regain the lead.

A free by Colin Currie eventually saw the deadlock broken early into added time and a subsequent point from substitute Joe Kavanagh looked to have sealed victory for Na Fianna.

Back came Kilmacud through an excellent Mark Grogan score with O’Rorke calmly converting a free from half-way to leave a suitably equitable result by the final whistle.

Scorers – Na Fianna: C Currie 1-4 (0-4f); G King 1-1 (0-1 sideline); C Stacey 1-0; AJ Murphy, J Meagher 0-2 each; J Tracey, D Burke, W Wheatley, P Feeney, J Kavanagh 0-1 apiece. Kilmacud Crokes: O O’Rorke 0-12 (8f); B Hayes 0-3; D Purcell, M Roche, C Conway 0-2 each; B Kenny, M Grogan 0-1 apiece.

Na Fianna: J Tracey; S Burke, C McHugh, F Breathnach; P O’Dea, L Rushe, D Ryan; B Ryan, G Spollen; S Currie, D Burke, C Stacey; S Currie, AJ Murphy, G King. Subs: P Feeney for Spollen (30+1), J Meagher for B Ryan (38), W Wheatley for Breathnach (42), J Kavanagh for D Burke (55).

Kilmacud Crokes: E Gibbons; C Ryan, B Sheehy, D Lucey; B O’Carroll, C Mac Gabhann, M Grogan; B Hayes, D Purcell; C Conway, O O’Rorke, B Kenny; R Costelloe, B Scanlan, M Roche. Subs: P Linehan for O’Carroll (30+1), G Veale for Conway (half-time).

Referee: Seán Stack (Parnells)