Mike O’Halloran watched Causeway put in a powerful last ten minutes in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC Round 2B clash against Crotta O’Neills…

Causeway 2-18

Crotta O’Neills 0-12 

The final score in this game does not tell the absolute resistance Crotta put up against all the odds.

Crotta lined out without eight of their starting 15 from last year’s championship, including Jordan Conway and their young star Barry O’Mahony.

With ten minutes to go in the game Crotta were only two points behind and playing with the aid of the wind.

They had matched Causeway all through the previous fifty minutes until John Mike Dooley set up Muiris Delaney for the goal that put the game beyond Crotta.

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It was nip and tuck in the first half with Causeway going in at halftime one point up 0-7  to 0-6.

I suppose a display of pure brilliance from young Adam O’Sullivan in the Crotta goals and Sean Weir equally effective at full back did keep Causeway at bay in the first half to a certain extent.

Tommy Casey opened Causeway’s account, Keith Carmody and Jason Leahy added further points Leahy tapping over frees and Carmody splitting the posts twice once from a very acute angle.

Shane Nolan scored all Crotta’s points apart from the opening point from Padraig Quille.

Crotta came out in the second half with a significant wind to their backs and Shane Nolan levelled matters within two minutes, Stephen Goggin and Colum Harty replied for Causeway, Shane replied with two points.

Keith Carmody had two points in a row within a minute, Shane Nolan struck over a monster free from his own half and struck one more before the end.

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Colum Harty, Tommy Casey, Stephen Murphy, Jason Leahy and Paul McGrath had points as well as a goal each from Muiris Delaney and Keith Carmody.

Causeway received a severe examination from gallant Crotta and how Crotta must curse their luck with the injuries they have suffered this year and must wonder when their luck will change.

Causeway will feel they can build on this win and at times tonight they looked the real deal, but bigger challenges lie ahead.

One thought after last night, let’s hope we haven’t seen the last of the great Crotta servant Tom Cronin, a man who has served Crotta and Kerry hurling well and always gave every ounce of sweat he had to the cause of club and county, even in the face of serious injury. Scroll down for more action photos…

Scorers, Causeway — Keith Carmody 1.04, Jason Leahy 0.05, Muiris Delaney 1 goal, Tommy Casey 0.02, Colum Harty 0.02, Paul McGrath 0.02, Stephen Goggin, Stephen Murphy and Anthony Fealy 0.01 each.

Scorers — Crotta Shane Nolan 0.10, Tom Cronin 0.01 Pa Quille 0.01