Crokes claim first Sevens title
Kilmacud Crokes claimed the One Direct All-Ireland Senior Sevens Hurling title for the first time at Glenalbyn this evening.
In only their second ever final, having lost to fellow Dublin outfit Ballyboden St. Enda's last year, Crokes went one better this time around, with a 6-21 to 7-5 win over Portrue of Tipperary in a high-scoring encounter.
Tipperary native Ryan O'Dwyer was one of the key men on the way to the final, and again the 'Player of the Tournament' proved instrumental in the decider.
O'Dwyer bagged 2-2 in the final, including a goal in either half, against a Portrue side that played the bulk of this game with only six men, following a straight red card for Kevin O'Halloran late in the opening half.
Crokes shaded a 3-10 to 3-5 interval lead, with captain Sean McGrath, O'Dwyer and Oisin O'Rorke netting the hosts first half goals.
John Sheedy bagged two of Portrue's goals, with Mikey Sheedy adding the other.
Portrue started the second half strongly with John Sheedy completing his hat-trick, but Crokes kept the scores ticking over, shooting 1-06 without reply, including a second O'Rorke goal.
There was a goal fest in the closing six minutes, with Portrue claiming three goals, and Crokes raising two green flags.
Michael Sheedy bagged all of those Portrue goals, with O'Rorke and O'Dwyer on target for Crokes.
Sheedy's fourth goal of the game left a 12-point gap late on, but Crokes sealed victory with a late Bill O'Carroll point.
After the game Leinster GAA Chairman John Horan presented Kilmacud Crokes Captain Sean McGrath with the Cup, while Ryan O'Dwyer claimed the Player of the Tournament Award.
Meanwhile, Donegal club Burt were also first time winners, after claimed the Shield title, thanks to a 2-13 to 3-8 win over Keady Lamh Dhearg from Armagh.
Keady led by 2-4 to 1-4 at half-time, with county players Conor Corvan and Paul McCormack netting their goals.
Donegal Senior player Joe Boyle netted the Burt goal.
On the restart, both sides claimed the lead, with Corvan netting his second goal to ensure a 3-7 to 1-11 score-line.
Johnny Downey and McCormack traded goals, but Burt claimed two two late points, including one from Christopher McDermott to seal a famous win.
There was a Cork double at St. Judes, with Lisgoold crowned Junior Sevens Cup champions with a 4-7 to 4-1 win over Wexford outfit Crossabeg Ballymurn, while Clonakilty took the Shield title with a 9-4 to 2-0 win over Portumna.
