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Final ---- Dr Crokes 0-12
--------- Currow 0-9.(Played in
Kilcummin on Wed 3rd June)
We collected our first Adult trophy of the year
as a result of our three point win over Currow in a very
exciting, clean game, played in Kilcummin. Great credit
is due to the host club for having their field in such
impeccable condition. Even though the first half
contained a lot of good football, both sides could only
manage three points. This was because of poor shooting
and good defending by both teams. There were fifteen
scores recorded in the second half, our nine points
outscoring Currow by three points.
Our opponents opened the scoring, with a point
in the 4th minute. It took us until the thirteenth
minute to equalise. Both sides scored two points each in
the second quarter, leaving the scores level at the
interval at three points apiece.
Even though the standard was above the ordinary
in the first half, it improved even more in the second
half and many of the scores recorded were as good or
better than you would see in many a Senior final. The
teams exchanged points on two occasions in the first
seven minutes of the second thirty minutes, The
game was more or less won and lost in the following five
minutes, during which period we scored three unanswered
points, our margin of victory at the end. Currow fought
back straight away and with two unanswered points
reduced the deficit to the minimum. The teams exchanged
points on two occasions in the next ten minutes,
We finished the stronger however, adding on two
points for a three point win.
Our team captain Finian Moran did not forget
the untimely death of Jimmy Falvey in his acceptance
speech. Jimmy, he said, would be sadly missed by all the
Gaels of the County. He was a great Fossa man but much
loved by Dr Crokes players, many of whom had played with
him in St Brendans and in Kerry Minor and Under 21
teams.
David Neeson was very sound in goal. Best in
defence were Finian Moran, David O'Leary and Brian
O'Donoghue. Andrew Kenneally and Ian Howard were on top
at midfield even though Currow did win a fair amount of
possession in the sector. Best in attack were Ruairi
Mangan, Denis Galvin and Edmund O'Sullivan.
Dr Crokes Best Player' Andrew
Kenneally.
Team and Scorers; David Neeson;
Conor O'Neill, Finian Moran(capt), John Bartlett; David
O'Leary, Brian O'Donoghue, Kevin Smith; Ian Howard,
Andrew Kenneally; David Looney 0-1, Barra O'Connell 0-2,
Shane O'Neill; Denis Galvin 0-3(0-2frees), Ruairi Mangan
0-2, Edmund O'Sullivan 0-3(0-2frees). Subs;
Chris Egan 0-1, Tommy Regan.
Congratulation to our mentors John O'Shea,
Eamon Fitzgerald And Mike Neeson who put in so much work
to win this competition.
Semi/final
Dr Crokes 0-11 Spa 0-08 Tues May 19th (Played in
Spa)
After good wins over Kilcummin, Rathmore,
Glenflesk and Spa and defeat to Currow, we qualified to
meet Spa in the semi final of the competition. We would
have been favourites to win this game, which we did, but
had to dig deep for our three point victory.
The teams exchanged points on two occasions in
the first seven minutes but then we went two points
ahead in as many minutes. The teams swopped points twice
in the next ten minutes but there was only one more
score in the last ten minutes of the half, a Spa point,
to leave us 0-6 to 0-5 ahead at the interval.
The game was more or less won and lost in the first
seven minutes of the second half, during which period we
had four points without reply to establish a five point
lead. Both sides had many misses in the next ten misses
and the score board was left unaltered. Spa then had two
points to leave just a score between the teams.
Substitute Chris Egan sent over the insurance point in
the 57th minute. This was followed a minute later by a
point by our opponents. Even though Spa tried hard to
breach our defence for an equalising goal, our rearguard
were unyielding in the remaining minutes and we ran out
the winner by three points.
The switching of David Moloney to midfield and
Andrew Kenneally to centre forward benefited both the
players and the team enormously. David Neeson was very
solid in goal. Best in defence were Finian Moran, John
Bartlett and David O'Leary. The switch of David Moloney
to midfield gave us control of the sector. He got good
help from Ian Howard. Best in attack were Andrew
Kenneally, Keith O'Leary and Shane O'Neill.
Dr Crokes Best Player; David Moloney;
Team and Scorers; David Neeson;
Kieran Ward, Finian Moran(capt), John Bartlett; David
O'Leary 0-1, Brian O'Donoghue, Kevin Smith; Andrew
Kenneally 0-1, Ian Howard; Donal Cronin 0-1, David
Moloney, Barra O'Connell; Keith O'Leary, Edmund
O'Sullivan 0-4(frees), Shane O'Neill 0-3.
Subs; Niall O'Connell, Chris Egan 0-1, Rory
O'Sullivan, Shane Kavanagh.
Round 2 ---- Dr Crokes 1-8---
Currow 2-9 (played in Lewis Road)
Our Junior squad disappointed at home
in round 2 of the League, going under to Currow 2-8 to
1-9. This was a surprise, following our splendid display
in the opening round when we had a big win over
Kilcummin. We were missing three of the panel but there
were sufficent players available, many of whom have
aspirations for the senior team. It didn't happen for
them in this game. John O'Shea's squad will be hoping to
return to their winning ways in future rounds and
make it to the qualifying stages. Currow deserved to win
this game, exposing the Crokes rearguard for two first
half goals, which determined the result.
David Neeson in the Crokes goal wasn't given
the cover he deserved and could not be faulted for
retrieving the O'Neills on two occasions. John Bartlett
and the tigerish Tommy Ryan tried hardest to stem the
Currow tide but even when they broke up the Currow
attacks, they lacked team support to turn defence into
attack. The forwards never combined as a unit and
shots at goal were often taken from unsuitable
positions. David Moloney had a great hour at midfield
but in attack , only Shane O'Neill and Denis Galvin
played to their potential.
This team can bounce back and make the
qualifiers by upping their performances on future
Tuesday evenings.
IMPRESSIVE
OPENING EKL DEBUT BY JUNIOR SQUAD
The junior squad
got their season off to a flying start recently with a
clear-cut 1—18 to 0-2 win away to Kilcummin in the first
round of the EKL .
In the
equivalent game at home last year Dr Crokes were
defeated.
The salient
factors in this big win were three fold. A solid 2 month
pre-season training regime along with the senior squad,
which included regular stints in the newly equipped club
indoor gym stood well to the team in the heavy match
conditions. The close co-operation between team manager
John O ‘Shea and his senior counterparts meant that a
full squad was available for the game. Full credit must
also go to the players, who realised that proving their
worth with the junior is the most likely way of
playing themselves on to the senior team.
With such a high
score line the forwards deserve special mention., but
the real stars on this occasion were the defenders.
On home
territory Kilcummin piled on the pressure in to the
village end goal, in that first half seeking early
advantage, but the Croke backs did not yield an inch.
David Neeson was the essence of reliability between the
posts ,fronted by newly appointed captain Finian Moran
in great form.
Corner back
Kieran Ward, impressive with the minors stepped up to
the challenge of this grade with an air of confidence
that will stand him well this season. John Bartlett did
well in to complete a reliable full back line.
Towering centre
back Ian Howard showed the signs of early season
fitness, well flanked by veteran Kevin Smith and Buddy O
Leary.
Winning midfield
is a ‘sine qua non ‘for match success. James Jones and
David Moloney gave their senior aspirations a real
timely boost.
Even though they
missed 3 goal opportunities in that first half, the
forwards realised that tacking on the points is a real
formula for success and by half time they had a healthy
balance in the bank leading by 9 points to 2.
They proceeded
to top up the deposit of points in that second half, and
it was no surprise when Donal Cronin got in for the
game’s only goal. Top scorer for Dr Crokes was Edmund O
Sullivan.
All 5 subs were
give match time,. Tenacious wing back Tommy Ryan was
rested in preparation for the forthcoming c’ship games
for the Deaf series. The junior team wishes Tommy the
best of luck in the series.
Dr Crokes…D.
Neeson, K. Ward, F. Moran ( captain ),J. Bartlett, D. O
Leary,
I.Howard, K. Smith, D. Moloney,,J.
Jones . R. Mangan, A. Kennelly, D. Cronin, D. Galvin, E
O Sullivan, S O Neill,
Fixture……April 21st, 7.30
pm at home to Rathmore. Subsequent rounds continue on
consecutive Tuesday evenings.
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