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The Foley and Fitzgibbon families donning their club colours with pride in Croker .
THE curtain came down on our All Ireland club odyssey in Croke Park today, but not how the experts had predicted, as we lay siege in the final quarter to the Kilmacud goals before bowing out on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-14.
Kilmacud, last year’s beaten finalists and bolstered this year by All Star Shane Walsh were hot favourites but whilst they deservedly progressed their overriding emotion tonight must be relief at getting to another final.
The Dublin standard bearers led by two points at half time, 0-08 to 0-06 with the sides having been level at 0-03 each before a flurry of scores saw them extend their advantage to 4 points, 0-07 to 0-03 after 26 minutes.
David Moran was lording midfield in a tour de force performance and we secured minors from Gavin O’Brien, Conor Hayes and Barry John to reduce the deficit to the two points. Our defence too was tested in the opening half but we stood firm with Cormac Coffey magnificent on Shane Walsh, holding him scoreless, and Shane Foley in goals equal to the best that was thrown at him with a fine save in the 21st minute from corner forward Hugh Kenny.
The opening exchanges of the second half saw Gavin O’Brien win the throw-in and a foul on him saw Jack reduce the deficit to the minimum when pointing the free.
The next quarter saw Kilmacud draw seven points clear, 1-11 to 0-07 with the goal being the decisive score – unfortunately it came as a result of a Shane Walsh point effort dropping short, cannoning off the crossbar and ending up in the hands of corner forward Kenny whose low shot ended up in the net – two further points from wing back Jones left Kilmacud comfortable or so it seemed with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
However, our heroes in blue refused to throw in the towel and with fresh legs in Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Ben Hanafin, Darragh O’Connor, Chucky and Gazza, we found a new lease of life; David’s aerial dominance continued, our forwards continued to probe and our defence was nothing if not defiant.
We were now in the ascendancy and the scores flowed – Jack was terrific in this period, Gazza fired over from range and suddenly it was a one score game – there were howls of disbelief from the Strand Road faithful when both Jack and Barry John had what looked legitimate claims for frees waved aside – the final act saw a long range delivery from Jack flicked goalwards by David but a massed Kilmacud defence gleefully gathered on the line and the clearance, though retrieved by Jack, saw referee Cullen bring proceedings to a halt.
Today marks the end of our senior club campaign but we salute our team and management for the many hours of joy they have given us over the past months, from Killarney to Mallow and Croke Park – they have put in the hours and the sacrifices – we are indebted to them and their families and thank them for their endeavour, honesty and commitment.
NÓTAÍ NA mBAN
They say that Christmas is a magical time of year …. For us in Strand Road, we have been enchanted the past few weeks… Thank you to our senior team and management for the wonderful journey you have brought us on! We were just beaten by the kick of a ball .
Our valiant team got to play on the hallowed turf, what an honour it was for us as a club ! Our senior men had great support on the day and it showed the high regard that everyone has for them.
It could have gone either way, a super game especially toward the finish and we just came up short. A fighting finish…
Flags and bunting, photo shoots etc… We had children from the Gaelscoil in studio on Radio Kerry along with one of their teachers and coach Declan being interviewed last Friday morning.
We had children from Moyderwell and Balloonagh also give their views over the phone and we had Erin Lynch from Blennerville School recite her own beautiful poem also on Radio Kerry. Well done to you! These are things we will all remember!
Many thanks to the clubs and businesses also who wished us well.
Having a sense of community unites us . By getting to the All Ireland Club semifinal it gave many of us an opportunity to connect with people we hadn’t met in a while.
A brilliant display, well done to Strand Road seniors and management.
David and Sarah Lynch
Erin Lynch who wrote a poem supporting her team and recited it on Radio Kerry with her Mom Marina and Dad Bernard
Supporting Strand Road are Patricia O’ Connor, Aoibhín O’ Connor MacCarthy and Mark and Liam Hassett
The Houlihan family from Strand Road out in force in Croke Park
Shannon and Thomas McInerney
Roisin Murphy.
Kay, Cormac, Alison Hoffman and Lillian and Róisín Healy up for the game
Ciarán Hattar introducing Mel to her first match of many supporting the Blues.
Minor Alva Daughton with her Dad William, ladies treasurer in Strand Road
En route to Croke Park
Helen Barrett adding to the sea of blue on Sunday’s train to the capital
Fiadh on the hallowed turf with her dad Con Barrett
Laura Murray , proud Mom of Jack and Gazza Savage with Molly and Peadar all excited ahead of the Strand Road game
Tricia Moran, Peter Enright, Lexi Keane and Sophie Constable in the Croke Park Hotel ahead of the All Ireland Club semifinal
Martina Griffin and Aoibhne Daly ..Croker bound
Antony and Róisín Murphy, Patrick and Patch O’ Connor and Peter Kelly in Croke Park
Patrick and Patch O’ Connor
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Meeting up are Derek o Connor (Kilimanjaro Papa ), Fiachra Dunne and Antony Murphy
Liam Griffin delighted to share a wonderful day out for Strand Road with his grandson Callum Griffin
U12 GIRLS
Training for the 2023 team will commence in a few weeks. Messages will be sent.
U16 LADIES
Huge congrats to Kelly Fitzgerald, Saoirse O’ Connor MacCarthy and Aoibheann McCarthy on being named on the Kerry panel. We wish you the best for the season ahead and look forward to watching you play.
MINOR TRIALS
Minor trials continue and messages have been sent about training. Best wishes to everyone!
WHAT’S APP GROUPS
These will be updated over the coming weeks.
