For the past month Dr Crokes Under 11, 13 and 15s have been playing hurling in Tralee Institute under floodlights and on Astroturf.  This unique experience has been enjoyed by everyone who has participated.  With our own floodlit pitch now in operation, our young hurlers are looking forward to an early start to next year’s campaign. Games in Tralee up to now have been for seeding purposes and last week the finals were played.  The Crokes team were seeded in Division 1 with Duagh, and Kenmare A. 

The lads took some time to settle into the first game and let in two early goals that had them on the back foot against Duagh.  However, they got to grips with the game and proved the stronger team in the latter half.  The game was eventually lost 2 goals for Crokes and 3 for Duagh. 

Kenmare were up next and were fancied to take the honours.  But the Crokes boys were stung by the earlier loss and took hold of the game from the start.  They dominated affairs throughout and played some excellent hurling.  The result this time was in our favour with a score line of 5 goals to 2.

The overall result hinged on the last game between Duagh and Kenmare.  The Crokes boys could only look on.  The Kenmare team put in a better performance in their second game and ran out winners by 4 goals to 2.  A game won by each team gave them all the same points.  But Crokes’ better score difference gave them the overall victory.

Next Friday it is the turn of the under 13 and two under 11 teams.  Confidence is high for these teams as results to date have been very positive.  The bus leaves Crokes clubhouse at 5.45 pm sharp.

Last Saturday Ballincollig brought their under 10 team to Killarney to play both hurling and football.  This is the first visit from this Club to Dr. Crokes.  The hurling game was a very close fought battle with plenty of skills on display.  However, a physically stronger Ballincaollig team took victory by the smallest of margins.  The footballers had better luck and evened the score with a well deserved victory.  Plans were made for a rematch at the Cork venue for early next year.

U14 Hurlers County Champions – the Dr Crokes Under 14 hurlers claimed their crown against Austin Stacks in a game that took extra time to decide.  It was a game where the defence on both teams dominated for much of the game and scores where hard earned.  However, Crokes were first off the mark with free from 30 yards taken by Evan O’Donoghue.  He followed this with another from a bit closer in.  Ryan O’Carroll was also busy and made space for himself out on the right wing and slotted over a beautiful point.  But all this hard work was cancelled when Stacks banged in a goal.  Young Laurence Byrnes was in fine form and ably assisted by David Leacy, these lads set up many an attack.  Aodhán Burns was busy on the wings and caused a lot of heartache for the opposition when he moved in closer to goal.

But this was a game when the backs showed their prowess.  Lead by Captain Ciarán O’Donnell, who put on a masterful display of hurling, stopping attack after attack and clearing ball right, left and centre.  Ciarán was man of the match in this encounter.  Close behind was the ever constant Senan Lavery.  Strong as ever, he stood up to everything that was thrown at him and always came out on top.  Jonathon Clery had another brilliant game and was always on top of his opponent.  Stacks tried three different men on Conor Fitzgerald, but small, tall or middling, Conor handled them all and is by far the most improved player this year.  Cian Ó Lionáird, though very young, played with great maturity and put on a fine display of hurling.

Scores being level at full-time, the game went into extra time.  Crokes made a few judicial positional changes and took over the game.  Anthony Keogh went in full forward and switched with Anthony Cronin who now played in mid-field.  Both players found this to their liking and upped their game enormously.  Ignatius Curtin and Alex Goggin moved into a forward position and caused a lot of problems for the Stacks defence.  Cian McDermott, who only took up hurling this year and John Ivory, who is will still be under 12 next year, played their part too and were not found wanting.  Both players have great futures in the game.  Graham Fleming, in goal, saved his best performance for the final.  In one move, late in extra time, when his goal was threatened, he shouldered the attacker off the ball, took command and cleared the ball out to mid field.  This typified his performance on the night - gutsy.  Another free from Evan O’Donoghue, followed by a tremendous goal by Anthony Keogh and finished off by a second point from Ryan O’Carroll saw the Crokes lads take victory.  The game ended 1-5 to 1-1.

Foireann:  Ciarán O’Donnell (Capt), Graham Fleming, Evan O’Donoghue, Alex Goggin, David Leacy, Cian Mc Dermott, Conor Fitzgerald, Jonathon Clery, Anthony Keogh, Ignatius Curtin, Senan Lavery, Aodhán Burns, Anthony Cronin, John Ivory, Laurence, Byrnes, Cian Ó Lionáird, Ryan O’ Carroll.

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Under 14 Hurlers Kilcummin cancelled our last game of the County League.  Our next games will be at Féile na nGael and all our players will be hoping to put in their best performance over this coming weekend.  Here are some of our Féile players.

Anthony Keogh is 12 and attends sixth class in Fossa National School.  He won under 12 County League medals in both hurling and football.  He is also on the Kerry under 14 Development squad.  Apart from hurling Anthony enjoys football and rugby.  His favourite footballer is Colm Cooper and his favourite hurler is Davey Fitzgerald.  After his schooling, Anthony would like to be an engineer.

Laurence Byrnes is 11 and is in fifth class in Loreto School.  He has won under 12 County League hurling honours along with an under 12 County League basketball medal.  Laurence also plays football, basketball, squash and soccer. Jamie Doolan is his favourite footballer and Tipp’s Eoin Kelly is his favourite hurler.  Laurence is also looking to engineering after schooldays are over.

Ryan O’Carroll is 14 and is in second year in St. Brendan’s College.  Ryan has won under 11 and under 13 East Kerry medals.  Football and soccer take up his time when he is not playing hurling.  His favourite footballer is Eoin Mulligan and in hurling, Ryan is a big fan of Cork’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan.  Ryan would like to be a jockey when he leaves school.

U14 Hurlers:There was no game last week.  But this coming Friday we travel to Kilorglin to meet Laune Rangers.  This will be a tough game as both teams are well matched.

Preparations for Féile continue and good attendance at training every Tuesday and Friday has helped enormously.  Here are some more profiles of the Crokes Féile team.

Conor Fitzgerald is 13 years old and attends first year in St Brendan’s College.  He is this year’s captain of the under 14 indoor league and is a member of the South Kerry Hurling Development squad.  He has also been invited to participate in trials for the county team.  Conor has won an under 12 County League winner’s medal for hurling and indoor honours along with under 14 East Kerry in football.  He was a member of the St. Brendan’s All-Ireland first year basketball winning team and has won county league and cup medals with St Pual’s basketball club.  His favourite footballer is Eoin Brosnan with Joe Dean his favourite hurler.  Conor enjoys horse riding, basketball, football and soccer and would like follow in the path of his uncle to be a motorbike mechanic when he leaves school.

Aodhán Burns at 11 years of age is one of our most promising young players.  He is in rang 5 in Gaelscoil Faithleann.  Aodhán holds an under 12 hurling County League winner’s medal along with indoor hurling titles. He has won County League basketball medals and two Town League medals.  Aodhán also has many athletics honours to add to his list.  His favourite footballer is Colm Cooper and hurler is DJ Carey.  An athletic young man, he plays badminton, football, athletics, soccer, basketball and rugby.  Aodhán hopes to be a professional soccer player when he leaves school.

Cian Mc Dermott is 13 and is in first year in St Brendan’s College.  This being his first year playing hurling, Cian has made great strides and his hurling skills are improving every week.  He has won the Town League basketball tournament with St Oliver’s.  Cian’s favourite footballer is Colm Cooper and he is a big fan of Tipperary’s Eoin Kelly.  He plays badminton and pitch and put.  Cian would like carpentry for a career.

Jonathon Clery is 12 and attends sixth class in St Oliver’s school.  He fills the corner back slot, where very few forwards get an opportunity to strike on goal. Jonathon has won an under 12 County League hurling medal and a Town League medal for basketball.  Colm Cooper is his favourite footballer and he also likes Tipp hurler Eoin Kelly.  Jonathon plays football, soccer, golf and rugby.  He would eventually like to be a professional rugby player.

Coiste na Og; The under 14 hurlers travelled to Duagh last Friday without a few of their key players.  It was always going to be an uphill battle, as Duagh are unbeaten this season.  Then to make matters worse Senan Lavery, a titan in the Crokes defence, had to leave the pitch with an injury.  But to their credit, Dr Crokes took the hand they were dealt and played their hearts out. 

Ignatius Curtin opened the scoring with a well-taken point from out the field and Bryan O’Shea followed up with a goal fired to net from a narrow angle.  However, Duagh proved too strong, although the Crokes boys never relented.

This team will travel to Cork for the weekend June 16-18 to participate in the Féile na nGael competition, the premier national club competition for under 14 year olds.  This will be a big occasion for these young players. Here are some of that team.

Ciarán O’Donnell, current captain of the under 14 team, plays at wing back.  Ciarán is 13 years old and is a first year student at St Brendan’s College.  He was on the Dr Crokes under 12 team that won the County League in 2004 and was on the recent St Brendan’s team that won the All-Ireland first year schools’ basketball competition.  Ciarán also plays golf and basketball.  His favourite footballer is Colm Cooper and his favourite hurler is DJ Ryan.

Graham Fleming is Dr Crokes goal-keeper, but also known to play on the full-farward line.  He is 12 year’s old and attends sixth class in St. Oliver’s school.  Graham also has a County league winner’s medal from 2002 for hurling and South Kerry indoor hurling honours.  A very active young man, he also plays golf, tennis, basketball, soccer and rugby.  His favourite footballer is Eoin Brosnan and hurler Donal óg Cusack.

Alex Goggin plays at full forward and is 12 years old.  He also attends sixth class in St Oliver’s school. Another member of the under 12 hurling County League winning team, Alex played a vital role.  Sports mad Alex likes to play golf, tennis, badminton, darts and soccer.  His favourite footballer is Colm Cooper and his favourite hurler is Henry Sheflin.

Senan Lavery is our last line of defence at full back.  He is 12 years old and attends first year at Milltown secondary school.  Senan has an under 12 County League hurling medal to match a similar medal he won with Dr Crokes for football.  A keen footballer and soccer player, Senan’s favourite footballer is Colm Cooper and in hurling he is a big fan of Cork’s Diarmuid O’Sullivan.

Juvenile Hurling - U 12 County League.
On Friday May 5th, Dr Crokes U12 hurlers played Dingle at our home venue.  The wet evening was not conducive to open fast hurling however great credit was due to both teams for   the great and honest effort that was evident all over the pitch. Due to the weather conditions, scores were at a premium however Crokes  got on the scoreboard  with a lovely point  from Laurence Byrnes and that settled the team well. Cian O'Lionard was playing well  in defence and Matthew Moynihan was excellent in goals.  The teams were level at half-time after Crokes had a few goal chances saved . It continued as a close affair in the second  half until Dingle got a decisive goal  and that coupled with the  wind advantage allowed them to hold out for a 2 point victory.  This was an impressive performance by a young  under 12 Crokes team and it will give great encouragement to our players  for the future. team:- M Moynihan,D Healy,CO'Lionard,C McSharry,M O'Shea,J Lenihan,A Burns, C O'Donoghue, L Byrnes,J Ivory, M Burns, A Goggins.
Our next  U 12 game is  an away game to Kenmare on Tuesday May 16th  at 7.00pm and
training continues on Monday and Friday evenings at  7.00pm.

Under 14 Hurling Last Sunday Dr Crokes were home to Austin Stacks and needed a win badly.  Stacks gave us the start we did not need by slotting an early goal.  However, the Crokes boys were patient and took their points.  Brian O’Shea banged over the first from way out followed by Aodhán Burns and two from Evan O’Donoghue to leave the score at 0-4 to 1-0 in favour of Dr Crokes.The second half saw the Crokes boys take charge of this game.  First Evan O’Donoghue fired a 13 meter free straight to goal.  Acting as captain for the day, Evan added three more goals to his tally, one from a sideline cut.  Conor Fitzgerald blasted one of the sweetest goals of the night to the back of the Stacks net.  This was followed by a goal from cousin David Leacy, the Wexford blood in his veins coming to the fore.  Alex Goggin was also on the score line by taking another great goal.  Cian McDermott was unlucky with some of his attempts on goal and provided a lot of ammunition for his team-mates.  During this blitz of goals Brian O’Shea scored an excellent point and Aodhán Burns banged over two to finish the game 7-7 to 1-0 in favour of Dr Crokes.  This score line shows the great job our backs did.  Graham Fleming and Matthew Moynihan in goal and Senan Lavery, Jonathan Cleary, Paul Clifford and Anthony Keogh, as usual played like tigers and closed down every attack

Another major milestone for Dr Crokes was met last Friday when the first ever under 14 hurling team took to the field in the County League.  The progression from indoor hurling to under 12 two years ago was a significant step.  Last year we fielded an under 13 team in the South Kerry League and now this year, Dr Crokes are fielding an under 14 team with many of the same players who broke new frontiers in 2004.

It took some time for the Crokes team to settle into this game and Kilgarvan took advantage by putting up some good scores.  However, even though we were in defence mode a lot of the time, old stalwarts in the backs played outstanding.  Senan Lavery put in a “man of the match” performance and cleaned up everything that came his way.  Graham Fleming saved shot after shot and cleared balls out the field.  Captain, Kieran O’Donnell lead his team by example and played some stylish hurling.  Jonathan Cleary on the full back line was solid as ever and Ignatius Curtain has improved his game immeasurably this year.

The second half was a different game and the Crokes boys came into their own.  Brian O’Shea, who was now playing mid-field, drove long ball after long ball into the forwards.  It was not long before Aodán Burns took the honour of taking the first score for a Crokes under 14 team.  For good measure he banged in a terrific goal to the top right corner a few minutes later.  Cousin Matthew Moynihan took over the scoring with a good point from out the field.  Alex Goggin fought hard in attack and was unlucky to see some of his best efforts just slip wide.  Cian Mc Dermott only started playing with the Club this year and is a prospect for the future.  He fitted in well and played some great hurling.  Last, but by no means least, Anthony Keogh worked dogged hard throughout the game and went long solo runs before providing ammunition to his forwards.

All in all it was a good display for their first outing.  The second half display was very encouraging and the team are looking forward to their next game with Rathmore on Sunday 23^rd April.  Training for under 12 and under 14 continues every Monday and Friday at 7.00pm.

Foireann: Graham Fleming, Sean Lavery, Jonathan Cleary, Ignatius Curtain, Kieran O’Donnell (capt.), Anthony Keogh, Aodán Burns, Brian O’Shea, Cian Mc Dermott, Alex Goggin, Matthew Moynihan.

Dr Crokes under 10 hurlers were selected to demonstrate the new hurling go-game at half time during the recent Kerry v Dublin game.  They played against a team from Kenmare and Kilgarvan.  It was a great experience for these young hurlers to play in front of such a large crowd in Fitzgerald Stadium and should give them a longing for more in the years to come.  County Officers praised the level of skills demonstrated by the Crokes lads in a game that was free-flowing and exciting.  The large crowd saw some spirited tackling and well-taken scores.  Those who lined out for the Dr Crokes team were, Michael Owen Buckley, Mark Buckley, Micheál Burns, Billy Courtney, Cillian Fleming, John Ivory, Jack Lenihan, Conor Mc Sharry, Gavin White, Oscar O'Connor and Sylvie Hartnett.
Training for the Under 12 and Under 14 hurling teams continues every Monday and Friday night.