Kilmacud Crokes Under-14s secured a dual code double last weekend when their footballers won the regional Feile title in Newbridge to go with the Under-14B hurlers’ success at the equivalent event in Wexford the week before.
The footballers took to the field at the Kildare Centre of Excellence at Hawkfield last Saturday for their group games, which saw them face St Paul’s from Laois and Bryansford from Down. After defeating both of those opponents, they went head-to-head with Douglas of Cork to see which of the sides would reach the final.
Crokes won the encounter by a definite 3-6 to 0-2 margin, meaning that they topped the table and progressed to the final which took place at the main county pitch at St Conleth’s in Newbridge.
The final saw Crokes play Churchill from Tralee, and once again they put in an impressive showing, and pulled ahead early on with some good scores. Their dominance meant that they could give their complete 23-man panel a run out in the final through rolling substitutions.
The performance from Kilmacud Crokes drew plaudits from both the Kildare hosts and Kerry opposition, with Crokes winning in the end on a scoreline of 3-9 to 0-4, earning them plaudits from mentors Fergal Keys, Ronnie Murray, Michael Veale and Philip Comerford.
The win completed a double for Crokes who a week previously won the national Division 1 hurling Feile at Pairc Charman in Wexford Town.
The hurlers faced off against Na Fianna from Offaly, a closely contested match that ended with Crokes narrowly claiming victory.
Their next group game was against Ballynastragh Gaels from Gorey, and despite being behind at the end of the first half, used their skills and the elements to record a 3-8 to 2-5 victory.
Crokes’ final group game was against St Mary’s of Leixlip, which saw Crokes score good long-range points as well as producing some good passages of interplay.
The trio of victories combined to deliver them the title, and their mentors Shane Canny, Rory Murphy and Paddy Linehan praised their performances on and off the field.
