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Up for it! Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerins O’Rahillys 0-15
Dr Crokes 0-14
WHAT can you say about yesterday?
After a diabolical first half from Kerins O’Rahillys, they turned it around in spectacular fashion to beat a highly fancied Dr Crokes side to claim a place in the Kerry SFC final against Austin Stacks in two weeks time.
It’ll be the first final pairing between the side since 1936, when the Rockies beat the Naries by 0-6 to 0-4.
It looked ominous for the blues early on as the Killarney men went three ahead after 15 minutes and despite Strand Road getting a few points on the board, they trailed 0-8 to 0-3 at the break and looked in disarray.
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Things looked even worse soon after the restart when Crokes increased their lead to six, but change was a-coming.
Rahillys clawed their way back with points by Conor Hayes and Jack Savage but were dealt a further setback when Donagh Buckley received a straight red for striking an opponent.
However, soon after the numbers were levelled up with Dr Crokes David Naughton dismissed and this proved a catalyst for a Strand Road recovery.
An injury to Dr Crokes goalkeeper, after a collision with Con Barrett, was also a big loss to the Killarney side, with a number of turnovers shortly after kickouts resulting in Blues scores.
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By the 60th minute, Strand Road were level at 0-11 each and the atmosphere was at fever pitch in the stands and on the terraces.
Strand Road went two points ahead thanks to Jack Savage frees, but Dr Crokes showed their resilience and came back with a point. When Rahillys again restored their two point lead, Crokes again hit back with a point.
The Killarney side had a chance to equalise at the death, but David Shaw’s effort from an acute angle failed to hit the target and that was that.
The celebrations at the final whistle felt like a county final win for Kerins O’Rahillys, but it’s been 13 years since the Blues were in this position so you can forgive their enthusiasm.
There’s much more work to do in the weeks ahead if they want to beat the Rockies who will relish the challenge! Scroll down for photos…
Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
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Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
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Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
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Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
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Photo by Dermot Crean
Handbags. Photo by Dermot Crean
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David Naughton gets a red card. Photo by Dermot Crean
Con Barrett’s collision with Shane Murphy. Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
Jack Savage’s shot was stopped the line. Photo by Dermot Crean
A late Jack Savage point celebrated. Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
The final whistle! Photo by Dermot Crean
Paul Ryan celebrates with Con Barrett. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bernard Pop Lynch (right) with Gavin O’Brien and Jack Savage. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tom McCarthy and Ger O’Brien celebrate with the next generation. Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
Olivia Crean congratulates Tommy Walsh. Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
Photo by Dermot Crean
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