Dr Crokes Hurling Team Report

The past year was nearly the perfect year on the field of play for the Crokes Senior Hurling Team.

With the retirement of Niall Keogh and Dan Kelliher after 19 years of service things did not look great but with that wonderful clubman Gene Doherty convening a meeting of players a commitment was given by all with Johnny Dunphy and Kevin Landers making the trip from Cork. The ageless Seanie O Shea came out of retirement and both he and Brendan Keogh took over the training duties, with Dave Cotter, Gene Doherty Tim Hourigan and Cormac Bonnar when available making up the  management team. A great response was given by the players and with Brian Darcy and Gary Landers being available Crokes were able to field a formidable side.

Our League campaign started with a comprehensive victory over Kilgarvan and while the team had a shaky mid season we steadied the ship and finished in joint second place and qualified for the semi final . It was then time to concentrate on the Intermediate Championship and we were drawn against Kilgarvan. Played in front of our own supporters at Lewis road Crokes ran out easier winners than the scoreline of 0-15 to 2-5 suggests. Unfortunately it was then that the bad element of the GAA showed it ugly head with Kilgarvan incorrectly objected to young Turlough Bonnar who played for 10 mins. The objection was based on the make up of St Pats and participation of Crokes players with  their novice team. This situation and the County Board’s inability to deal with the matter led to the team not having a game for 7 weeks which had a very disheartening effect on the players and made it very difficult to keep going.  Enter Dan Kelliher, John Keogh, Tracey O Shea, Brendan Keogh, Gene Doherty and our Chairman Patrick O Sullivan.  The result was a carefully drafted letter sent to the County Board and this allied with our Chairman’s hard work led to the County Board making a quick decision and we were clear to play Kilmoyley but unfortunately without the services of our most dedicated player Tom Murphy who was off on his honeymoon. The semi final proved to be a drab affair as Crokes were far too strong and ran out easy winners in Caherslee by 1-13 to 0-5 and was not a suitable test for the team.

The final was played against Kenmare on the 6^th Nov in Kenmare and while the team was reasonably confident, only a few players performed on the day and eventhough  Crokes led at half time by a point Kenmare ran out easy winners on the scoreline of  2-12 to 1-7. While Crokes were disappointed we still had the County League to look forward to. We played Causeway in the Semi Final and ran out comfortable winners on the scoreline of 2-13 to 1-9, eventhough we were short five regulars  Highlight of this game was the performance of Brian Darcy at midfield eventhough he carried an injury into the game, Shane Kavanagh’s successful first start for a Crokes Senior team and Cormac Bonnars new role as a goalkeeper. The final against Kilmoyley was played on Sun the 28^th Nov at the the excellently prepared pitch which was cut by Paudie Vaughan at short notice. This proved to be Crokes best ever victory capturing the Division 2 title against a Kilmoyley team with County medal winners on board. The real character of this team came to the fore as the team came from 7 points down to draw the game in normal time. Then with 5 mins to go in extra time Crokes sprung young Turlough Bonnar form the bench and with his first touched scored a point. His next touch 2 mins from time was a beautiful overhead flick to the back of the net as he ran diagonally across the goals. It was a score to grace Croke Park. The final whistle led to scenes of unbridled joy and a more than deserved result for a great bunch of players. While it was an outstanding team performance I have to mention the performances of Gary Landers who was a new man in 2004, Seanie O Shea with a Man of the Match performance, Brian Darcy and Keith Curtin at midfield and Earl Tuohy and Seanie Morris in the forwards along with that grand finale by Turlough Bonnar.

The Team and scorers was

John Cagney,Cian O Toole, Gary Landers,Tom Murphy, Kevin Landers, Seanie O Shea, Paul Griffin, Brian Darcy (0-1),  Keith Curtin (0-2f), , Earl Tuohy (0-5,3f), Barry O Grady (0-1), , Tim Hourigan, Seanie Morris (1-3), Cormac Bonnar, Tony Mackey (1-0)

Subs: Turlough Bonnar (1-1), Gene Doherty, Shane Kavanagh, Gerry Murphy, Brendan Keogh, John Keeffe, Dave Cotter.

The Crokes also retained  the South Kerry Junior Championship by defeating Rathmore on a scoreline of 2-12 to 3-3

Team was : Denis McCarthy, John Lenihan, Gary Landers, Paul Griffin, Kevin Landers, Gerry Murphy, Barry O Grady (0-3), Seanie Morris (0-1), Brendan O Keeffe, Turlough Bonnar (0-5), Shane Kavanagh (0-1), Johnny Dunphy (1-2), Gene Doherty, Brendan Keogh (1-0), Billy Hennigan, John Keeffe, Martin Byrnes.

The panel and mentors would like to thank Tom and Mary O Donoghue, Speak Easy for their continued generous sponsorship

We would also like to congratulate the juvenile hurlers , their mentors for their great success during the year and  to congratulate our senior footballers for their successes in 2004 and thank them for their cooperation with facilitating matches and training during the year. Thanks also to Der Brosnan, Tracey O Shea, and Patrick O Sullivan for their support and assistance throughout the year. Thanks to our merry band of supporters who supported us in all our matches and Kieran Madden who was our travelling umpire when availableCongratulations to our senior player Tom Murphy and his wife Elaine  who were married in November.On a sad note we extend our sympathy to Dan Kelliher on the death of his wife  Eva  Finally the most profound and saddening event of the year was the untimely death of our outstanding and loyal clubman Eddie Barry. He was a great friend to the hurlers who came to know Eddie through his ever presence in the clubhouse. He was always there to help with advice, match tickets, expenses etc. I am sure he smiled when the trophies came to the club in recent times. Thanks for everything Eddie agus codladh samh duit in measc leaba na naomh

 Brendan Keogh

Gene Doherty

On Behalf of the Hurlers

Hurlers into Final

County League Division II Semi-Final

                                    Dr Crokes 2-13      Causeway 1-0

This long awaited game was eventually played at Caherslee on Sunday last 21^st Nov at 1.00pm. On heavy underfoot conditions an under strength Crokes team made light of their absentees with Cormac Bonnar deputising for John Cagney, Gerry Murphy coming in at left corner back with Tim Hourigan taking the right corner back position and the ageless Gene Doherty filling the full forward berth. Shane Kavanagh made his first full appearance at left wing forward.

Crokes were first to score from a Keith Curtin free and never relinquished the lead from there to the final whistle. While the first half was evenly contested the emerging pattern showed Crokes on top at midfield with Brian Darcy giving an exhibition of hurling despite carrying an injury and ably assisted by Keith Curtin and Seanie O Shea with renewed vigour controlling the half back line. Garry Landers did likewise at full back being his ever rock solid self and Cormace Bonnar was faultless between the posts. The forwards while missing a few early chances availed of some good opportunities towards the end on the half and points by Keith Curtin (1), Earl Tuohy (3), Seanie Morris (2) and Barry O Grady (1) had Crokes leading at half time 0-9 to 0-7

Crokes continued their dominance on the resumption and went into a 5 point lead with further points from Keith Curtin (1) and Earl Tuohy (2). The nail in the coffin for Causeway came when Johnny Dunphy doubled on a ball in the square for a well taken goal. Causeway fought hard and the exchanges were tough at times but never spilled over and they replied with a goal to reduce the deficit.again but then Earl Touhy playing one of his best games for Crokes drilled to the back of the Causeway net to restore order. The siege was further lifted with points from Seanie Morris (1) and Earl Tuohy after he himself was fouled .The final whistle was blown with Crokes being 7 points victors. While this was a great win for Crokes under the circumstances they know they will face a much stiffer task when playing Kilmoyley in the final, who can call on 10 of their senior panel.

On the day which saw a great team performance Cormac Bonnar who set many an attack from puck out, Gary Landers, Gerry Murphy, Paul Griffin (second half) , Kevin Landers and the irrepressible Seanie O Shea played well in defence. As stated Brian Darcy starred at midfield ably assisted by Keith Curtin. In the forwards Earl Tuohy had his best game for some time and he received good support from Seanie Morris, Gene Doherty and Barry O Grady and Shane Kavanagh (both in second half).

The final id fixed for this Sunday 29^th November at 12.00pm in the Crokes pitch so all club members are asked to support the team.

Team & Scorers