They say that business success is built on the networking.  The same can be said of sport.  John Lenihan’s contacts with his home Club of Newtownshandrum opened the door for an invite for Dr Crokes young hurlers to a very prestigious tournament in Newtown.  Eight of the top Clubs in Munster and Leinster were invited to participate and on the road to Newtown mentors John Lenihan, Danny Harrington and Matt O’Neill wondered if they had put their young charges into a cauldron for which they were not prepared for.

However, they need not have feared at all.  The boys and girls from Dr. Crokes met every challenge put their way.  The day started with a challenge game between the under 8/9 team from Dr Crokes and their counterparts from Newtownshandrum.  The Crokes players were a bit flat after their bus journey up to this Cork haven of hurling.  The local lads got off to a terrific start and slotted home a few early goals to win the first period where ground hurling only was allowed.  Lifting and striking was allowed in the second period and the Crokes girls and boys found their rhythm.  They battled hard and levelled the scoring at the end of period two at four goals to each side.  The final period was full hurling.  The increased skill levels suited the Dr Crokes team.  Each player gave their all and battled hard to hammer up a score of 2-1 to Newtown’s 2-0.  The end result was 6-1 to 6-0 in favour of Dr Crokes.  This was a huge success for this fine young team in their first game outside of Kerry.  The future augurs well for Dr Crokes hurling.

Foireann: James McAuliffe, Michael Lenihan, Mark Hartnett, John Joseph Buckley, Conor Murphy, Conor Quirke, Lorcán O’Connor, Siobhán Burns, Seamus Gallagher, Kieran O’Connor, Seán O’Neill, Patrick Crehan, Patrick Buckley, Cian O’Hehir, Sadhbh Ní Cathasaigh, Ruadhán Mac Curtín, Lorcán O’Hehir.

U12 Newtownshandrum Invitional Hurling Photos (Click here)