U21s leave it behind them

We were pushed back for a long period but defended well until Crokes goaled on a break. We responded with points from Dave Sexton and Paul Connolly gave us a late lead , Crokes equalised, Conor Mullarkey was narrowly wide and Crokes borke for two points.

 Picture gallery here

The first half was played in a deluge on a saturated pitch and there were lots of errors on both side. It was a pity to lose Mark Finnerty so early and Fionn Cahill mid half with a painful looking ankle injury. Conor Ryan  had a similar injury mid second half. The rain cleared at half time and Syls faced the sun and a cold wind in the second half.

I will have my annual whinge at the way U21 is treated by the County Board, relegated to the very backend of the season. There was a great crowd watching in awful conditions and I think it is an absolute shame for the players and the supporters that this grade gets such low priority.

Last year we were beaten by a very strong Na Fianna but today I felt we were the better team and it's a real pity we don't get another run. Fair play to Crokes, they kept their nerve and came back for the win and we wish them well in the competition.

Team: Michael Shields, Brian Shalloe, Niall Higgins, Eoin Boyne, Conor Quinn, Conor Ryan (Conor Mullarkey), Alan Kavanagh, Jack Hazely, Stephen Cunningham, Colm Byrne, Fionn Cahill (Paul Connolly), Conor Meaney, Mark Finnerty, Mark Hazely, Dave Sexton