Home Club History Club News Team News Golf Society Notice Board Kids Zone Lotto Photos Links Social Club Club Officers Roll of Honor Legends

O'Donoghue Cup Winners 1981

1981 ------- Dr Crokes win after 13 Barren Years

 Final--------------Dr Crokes 3-8 ---------- Gneeveguilla 0-2

The Kerryman reported that “An enthusiastic Dr Crokes side which showed tremendous appetite for the game completely shattered reigning champions Gneeveguilla in the O’Donoghue Cup Final at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Nobody expected such a one sided contest and the losers seeking their third consecutive title were never in serious contention. Few could begrudge the famed Killarney club it’s hour of glory. Dr Crokes last won an O’Donoghue Cup final in 1968 and tasted bitter defeat on seven occasions in the meantime.

And what could be said of Gneeveguilla who thrilled so many with exhilarating displays last year and who counted big name clubs like Austin Stacks and Castleisland Desmonds among their victims”

The bottom line is that Crokes played out of their skin and Gneeveguilla under- performed.

A Dr Crokes victory looked on the cards from the early stages. They were on top at midfield and led 1-4 to 0-1 after fifteen minutes, the goal coming from Denis Coffey after a defensive error. The switching of Ambrose O’Donovan to midfield made a difference but while never looking like scoring a goal they missed at least three points from scoreable positions. The injured Seanie O’Leary brought in as a substitute had their first score, a point from a free in the 25^th minute. John O’Leary had a point for Crokes and then in the 25^th minute Tommy Parker raced through for a goal to give the winners an almost unassailable 2-5 to 0-1 lead at the interval.

On resumption Gneeveguilla now aided by a light breeze did try to break through but their best efforts were resisted by a stubborn Crokes defence. All they had to show for their efforts was a Joe McCarthy point, their second and last score in the 35^th minute. However any hopes they had of getting back into the game were dashed in the 38^th minute when Niall Brosnan crashed the ball to the net after a move with Tommy Parker. Crokes added on 2 more points to finish worthy winners 3-8 to 0-2.

Dr Crokes had many stars on the day. Mike Doody and Liam Hartnett were particularly impressive in defence. Johnny O’Donoghue and Mike O’Grady performed very well at midfield while Tommy Parker, Josie O’Donoghue, Denis Coffey and Niall Brosnan were best in attack. Ambrose O’Donovan who gave a fine exhibition of fielding was the pick of the Gneeveguilla fifteen. Their best defender was corner back Denis Murphy while Kerry under 21 forward John Murphy worked extremely hard on the left wing.

 The “Man of the Match” award sponsored by O’Brien’s Sport Shop was won by Michael O’Grady, Dr Crokes.

 Team and Scorers;

 Dr Crokes; Tom O’Driscoll, Donie O’Leary, Brendan Keogh, Liam Hartnett, Denis O’Donoghue, Mike Doody, Noel Parker, Johnny O’Donoghue, Mike O’Grady 0-4, Tommy Parker 1-2, Josie O’Donoghue 0-1, John O’Leary 0-1, Tom O’Shea, Denis Coffey 1-0, Niall Brosnan 1-0.