Some smashing scores in U13 game

 More pictures here

This game that had everything - high scoring, some great goals, exciting end to end football and the lead changing hands several times with the result in the balance right up to the finish. In the end the teams shared the spoils - which was probably a fair result as neither team really deserved to lose.

Playing with the aid of strong wind Crokes started strongly, got control around midfield and quickly ran up a 1:6 to 0:1 lead after 15 mins with some magnificent points from play. It was not looking good for the home side at this stage but this is a team that has shown before that it is full of character and has a forward line that can score at will if given the possession. An inspired tactical switch saw Josh Reinhart move back to help with the defence and Bobby McCarthy move to full forward. Almost immediately the Syls lads raised the siege and started opening holes in the Kilmacud defence. First Sean Daly hit the net, AJ McCabe got another and then Bobby McCarthy grapped a brace, the second a spectacular volley over the keepers head. Unbelievably this gave the Syls lads the lead at half time. Syls 5:1 Crokes 1:10

The start of second half saw Syls winning more of the possession around middle third where Daniel Brennan, Daniel Deneher and Luke Hughes were gaining control. Helped now by the wind advantage they began to gain the upper hand and camped for long periods in the Kilmacud half. Marcus Young came off the bench to add height to the forward line and they began to build on their half time lead with some excellent scores, but they were never able to completely finish off the challengers. With the game entering the final quarter Syls had a 5 point lead and it looked as if the home side had done enough. Kilmacud showed great resolve however and never gave up. They managed to nab 2 quick goals after uncharacteristic lapses in the Syls defence to put them in front once more. The Syls lads pressed hard and were guilty of a couple of bad wides before AJ equalized with a well taken point with 5 mins left. The drama was not over yet however. With time running out Daniel Brennan stepped up to point a magnificent free from 50 yards out and it looked as if that would be the winner until Kilmacud responded and won a 21 yard free in the dying seconds. They calmly slotted it over to tie the game. Final Score – St Sylvesters 7:6 Kilmacud 4:15

Team:

1 Harry Barnes, 2 Denis O’Brien, 3 Mikey Dowling, 4 Bobby McCarthy, 5 Aaron Lynch, 6 Luke Hughes, 7 Brian Murray, 8 Daniel Deneher, 9 Robert Mazzarella, 10 Jack Whelan, 11 Daniel Brennan, 12 AJ McCabe, 13 Sean Daly, 14 Josh Reinhart, 15 Conor Mulcahy. Subs Marcus Young, Colm Casey, Ben O’Neill