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Dr Crokes 2-19
Kerins O’Rahillys 2-10
Dr Crokes goalkeeper Shane Murphy lands awkwardly in the second half. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S a flattering scoreline and not reflective of what really transpired at Austin Stack Park on Sunday afternoon, but ultimately the better side went through to the final of the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SFC.
Up t0 the 54th minute the Tralee side were within a point of the champions, but when a short kickout resulted in a turnover, it was capitalised on by Jordan Kiely and that was that. You just can’t make mistakes like that against Crokes.
Like Dublin, Dr Crokes are experts at seeing out a game. Their patient, clinical style saw them exploit another opening in injury time for another Kiely goal. Game truly over.
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While they were underdogs, it’s a big disappointment for Strand Road as they went toe to toe with the Killarney side right up to the last five minutes of normal time.
The loss of Kerins O’Rahillys Ryan Carroll early on and Jack Savage mid way in the second half, to black and red cards respectively, also didn’t help the Tralee side’s cause.
It’s a remarkable seventh final this decade for Dr Crokes (winning every one of those finals so far) and they are deserving of making this year’s decider, but it had started so well for Kerins O’Rahillys.
In the first minute Gavin O’Brien caused havoc in the Killarney side’s defence and he slotted past Shane Murphy for a goal.
Gavin O’Brien shoots…
…he scores, he flies through the air…
…takes a tumble…
and celebrates his first goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy Walsh added a point from close range, but Dr Crokes responded quickly and were ahead after 13 minutes thanks to a brace from David Shaw and three points from Kieran O’Leary.
Gavin O’Brien put Rahillys level and a Jack Savage free put them ahead by the 15th minute. but Crokes entered the ascendency with points from Micheál Burns and Tony Brosnan (2) putting them two ahead.
A Savage free brought the lead to the minimum, and the sides traded points until the 24th minute when Gavin O’Brien struck again, rounding the goalkeeper to slot in his second goal.
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Gavin O’Brien about to score his second goal…
…and celebrates. Photo by Dermot Crean
That left the scores at 2-5 to 0-10 and it looked like we had a real contest on our hands, especially when Kieran O’Leary levelled the scores a minute from the end of the first half.
After the break, the Tralee side again started the brighter and had two points on the scoreboard from the boots of Karl Mullins and David Moran, but two points from Tony Brosnan restored parity on 40 minutes.
Jack Savage pointed on 42 minutes and when Johnny Buckley had a shot saved by Gary Kissane a minute later it looked like Rahillys had a real chance.
Alan O’Sullivan attempts to break out of the defence. Photo by Dermot Crean
They were dealt a blow minutes later when Jack Savage received his marching orders after an ill-judged challenge.
Crokes goalie Shane Murphy levelled the game with a 45 on 46 minutes (2-8 to 0-14) and then Colm Cooper — who had come on for David Shaw at half-time — saw himself black-carded.
The game was held up for about five minutes after Dr Crokes goalkeeper Shane Murphy landed on his head while going for the ball. Thankfully, he was able to walk off the field but played no further part in the game.
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David Moran put the Strand Road side ahead, but Brian Looney and Micheal Burns had Crokes in front with six minutes of normal time remaining.
The crucial moment came from a kickout which went wrong and Kieran O’Leary set up Jordan Kiely for the vital goal. Barry John Keane got a point back to reduce the lead to three, but Brosnan and Johnny Buckley slotted over two points to kill the game two minutes into injury time.
David Moran comes under pressure. Photo by Dermot Crean
Another late goal from Kiely and a point from O’Leary flattered Crokes who will surely go into the final as favourites.
Dr Crokes second goal. Photo by Dermot Crean
It was a great effort by O’Rahillys who left everything out on the field and the club could not have asked more of any player. It has to count as a decent season with a county league final to contest in the coming months, but the lost opportunity will hurt for a while. Scroll down for photos
Dr Crokes: Shane Murphy; John Payne, Michael Moloney, Fionn Fitzgerald; Shane Doolan, Alan O’Sullivan, Gavin White; Johnny Buckley, Daithi Casey; Micheal Burns, Gavin O’Shea, Brian Looney; David Shaw, Kieran O’Leary, Tony Brosnan.
Subs: Colm Cooper for D Shaw; Jordan Kiely for G O’Shea (44); Michael Potts for C Cooper (b/c, 48); Johnny O’Leary for S Murphy (51); Eoin Brosnan for M Burns (63) Billy Courtney for T Brosnan (67).
Kerins O’Rahillys: Gary Kissane; Cormac Coffey, Darragh McElligott, Danny O’Sullivan; Ross O’Callaghan, Shane Brosnan, Ryan Carroll; David Moran, Con Barrett; Gavin O’Brien, Barry John Keane, Karl Mullins; Jack Savage, Tommy Walsh, John Ferguson.
Subs: Tom Hoare for R Carroll (b/c, 8), John C O’Connor for J Ferguson (55), Gearoid Savage for D McElligott (61), Padraig Griffin for G O’Brien (68).
Dr Crokes panel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerins O’Rahillys panel. Photo by Dermot Crean
The captains. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerins O’Rahillys huddle before the game. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy Walsh looks for options in the small square. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy Walsh is outnumbered in a tense situation. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cormac Coffey gets a shot away. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tommy Walsh on the attack. Photo by Dermot Crean
Con Barrett on the break. Photo by Dermot Crean
A flashpoint during the game. Photo by Dermot Crean
Tom Hoare exploits some space. Photo by Dermot Crean
Barry John Keane lets loose. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jack Savage in full flight. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gearoid Savage is tackled by Gavin White. Photo by Dermot Crean
