SENIORS
Another epic encounter in Lewis Road saw Dr Crokes take the division 1 league title but only after a see saw battle which was eventually decided in extra time.
We went into this game with only one competitive outing in the last 6 weeks but belied this stat when racing into a 1-03 to nil lead against the odds and the slight breeze.
Gavin O’Brien was the goal scorer just like he was in the county semi final when he initiated a move from midfield and running strongly through fired a shot which was initially parried but his follow up saw him find the net; Dr Crokes were hit with an early blow when John Payne saw red for a late challenge on Jack Savage a handicap with which they struggled all day.
We were on top at midfield where David Moran gave a towering performance for the eighty minutes and continued to take the game to the Killarney side, but some poor decision making cost us and we were only two to the good on 19 mins when Daithi Casey reacted quickest to Gary’s penalty save to fire to the net.
Crokes continued to press and hit the front five minutes from the half time whistle with a point from Tony Brosnan which was quickly followed by a Micheál Burns goal on 33 minutes – we were not to be outdone however and when Tommy fielded a high ball in behind the Crokes cover he found the net with a left footed drive to leave the minimum between the sides at the interval.
Despite the numerical advantage, our lack of match sharpness continued to tell and we failed to capitalise on some good chances when first Jack was denied by Shane Murphy and the resultant “45” failed to trouble the score board.
Crokes continued to press, holding the ball well and finding their men with great accuracy – as a result they had moved into a seven point lead on 20 mins, 2-13 to 2-06, Jack being our only scorer in this period.
It was then that we again upped the ante with great play from Jack, Tommy and David and we were thrown a life line when awarded a penalty which Jack duly converted – there was now only two points between the sides and scores from Cormac, up supporting the attack and Jack tied the sides as the final whistle sounded and extra time loomed.
Crokes were now up to their full complement of 15 and using their experience to telling effect, had the greater resolve to see them through on a final score line of 2-20 to 3-12.
Despite the loss, this was a terrific display given the evident rustiness and lack of match practice and shows how close we are to the Kerry and Munster champions.
It ends our season not as we would have wanted it but its one we can look back on with a certain degree of satisfaction and no little pride where we have always given our all and left everything on the pitch.
Team: Gary Kissane, Danny O’Sullivan, Ross O’Callaghan, David Murphy, Chucky Carroll, Karl Mullins, Cormac Coffey, Tom Hoare, David Moran, Gavin O’Brien, Jack Savage, Darragh McElligott, Barry John Keane, John Ferguson.
Subs: Gearoid Savage, Gearóid Dillane and Jason O’Leary.
AGM:
A good sized attendance in the Healy Rooms on Sat night for our AGM were given a run down on club activities for the past year in a wide ranging and comprehensive secretary’s report.
The highlights included the success of the senior team in reaching the county league final and the semi finals of the county championship – there were wins over Feale Rangers, Dr Crokes and St Brendans which saw us meet Dr Crokes again in a county semi final only to come up short; there was the successful participation of our B team in the county league which saw over 45 senior players play county league football and the securing of our senior status for the coming year.
There were reports on our minors and U-21 teams, juvenile and ladies activities, membership and fundraising as well as tributes to long serving groundsman Edmond Quirke and to Tom & Eileen O’Shea who handed over the lease on Charlie’s Bar in January.
Haulie Kerins in his Chairman’s address thanked all of those who had assisted him during the year making his job easier than it might have been; he thanked the senior management team for their work and dedication and the players who once again gave their all for the club; again he paid tribute to Edmond Quirke and wished him well in the future. He thanked all the management teams of the various teams which saw us compete in 13 adult competitions playing over 80 competitive games.
Kathy McCarthy was the recipient of the Club Woman of the Year for her tireless work as juvenile secretary as well as her efforts in helping to ensure we held a very successful ” Strictly Come Dancing “in March; Frank O’Connor ( Tiler) was awarded the club man of the year for his work in organising a very successful 10K, assisting on match days in selling lotto tickets and taking admission fees and for his overall willingness to help out when ever called upon – both Kathy and Frank were worthy winners.
All outgoing officers were returned for the coming year with the only vacancy to be filled being that of PRO following Pat Flavin’s decision to step aside following two years in the role.
Lotto:
There was no winning ticket in last week’s lotto draw, winning numbers: 1, 6, 19 & 20 – nobody matched 3.
Next week’s jackpot will be €3,500.
The five entrants for the special December draw are as follows: Kay Stack, Liam Griffin, Ogie Moran, Tim Scannell and Maureen & Mary Ann Fleming.
Tickets €2/3 for €5 can be purchased online, from the club house and from the following outlets: Counihans, Princes St., Foleys on the Castlemaine Road, The Abbey Inn & Jimmy’s on Strand Road.
Condolences:
To the family of Con Griffin late of Bishop Moynihan Crescent, Killarney and formerly of Cahills Park;
To the family of Liam Duffy of Caheranne;
To the family of Nora Kelliher O’Grady of Clonmore, Ballymullen
To the family of John Healy, Renanirree, Cork ( brother of our former chairman Pat)
Stay in touch:
If you have any item of interest which you would like to include in our weekly notes, you can e-mail: pro.kerinsorahillys.kerry@gaa.ie – there is a quick link to this on our Facebook page.
