After going through the League
unbeaten, with nine wins and one draw, we failed in the
final, going down by a point to Milltown. Even though we
were short a number of players we led by a point going
into the last five minutes of the game. We failed
however to successfully get over the finishing line as
our opponents scored two points from frees to win by the
minimum margin. We did have a few chances in injury time
to equalise, our nearest effort for equality being a 45
which failed by inches to get over the bar. It was a
game we could have won but Milltown deserved their
victory as they were more focussed throughout. They also
scored five points from play whereas our four points
came from frees.
The teams exchanged points in the
first five minutes. Aided by the breeze our opponents
had three points without reply in the next five minutes.
There were only two scores in the next ten minutes, the
teams exchanging points. We drew level with a goal by
Brian Looney from a long range free in the 25th minute.
We however conceded a goal two minutes later and
Milltown followed up with two further points to go in at
the break 1-7 to 1-2 in front.
Aided now by the breeze we made
inroads into their lead in the first ten minutes of the
second half. They had a point in the 35th minute but we
struck for a goal in the 40th minute to reduce their
lead to three points. Our opponents increased their lead
with a point in the 43rd minute. At this stage we
introduced three influential substitutes and by the 55th
minute had gone into the lead for the first time,
scoring 1-2. All three scores came from Colm Cooper, the
goal being one of the best I have seen this year.
Milltown however dug deep and two points from frees gave
them victory by a point. We had a few chances to
equalise but failed to convert.
We had three goals disallowed during
the course of the game.
Dr Crokes Best Player; A
joint award to James Cahillane and Colm Cooper who were
outstanding at opposite ends of the field.
Team and Scorers;
Alan Kelly; Luke Quinn, James Cahillane, John Payne;
Fionn Fitzgerald, Eoin Brosnan, Mike Moloney; Ambrose
O'Donovan, James Jones; Shane Myers, Colm Cooper
2-4(0-4frees), Brian Looney 1-0(free); Shane O'Neill,
Kieran Brosnan, Jamie Doolan. Subs;
Johnny Buckley, Daithi Casey, Shane Doolan.
t
Round 10------ Dr Crokes 2-13---- Tarbert 1-12
As a result of our win over Tarbert we now have 19pts
from 10 games. We have now reached the Final of the
Competition. Milltown will be our opponents in the
final. Our opponents belied their lowly position
in the table with
a gutsy display. We only pulled away in the last ten
minutes.
We dominated the first ten minutes and had
three points without reply. Tarbert had a point in the
eleventh minute but a goal by Kieran O'Leary two minutes
later put us five points in front. Our opponents had a
productive period in the next five minutes, scoring
three unanswered points. We added on two points but
Tarbert struck back with 1-3 to put them two points
ahead. We finished the half the stronger with a goal and
a point, the goal coming in injury time from David
Moloney. This gave us an interval lead of 2-6 to 1-7.
If we began the first half well, it was our
opponents who set the pace in the second, three points
without reply putting them a point ahead after forty
minutes. We dominated the next ten minutes with three
points and went into a 2-9 to 1-10 lead. The North Kerry
boys had a point to reduce the deficit to a point. Our
superior fitness came to the fore in the last ten
minutes. We scored four unanswered points to edge clear.
Tarbert had the last score of the game, a point in
injury time, leaving us winners by four points.
Team and Scorers; Kieran Cremin;
Keith McMahon, James Cahillane, John Payne; Batt
Moriarty, Mike Moloney, Gavin Tucker; Ambrose O'Donovan,
Johnny Buckley 0-2; Daithi Casey 0-6(0-2frees), Kieran
O'Leary 1-3, Andrew Kenneally 0-1, Brian Looney 0-1,
David Moloney 1-0, Shane O'Neill.
Dr Crokes Best Player; Kieran
O'Leary.
Round 9------ Dr Crokes 2-14---- An Gaeltacht 1-09
It was only fitting that this, our ninth
game in the League, was the outstanding game we played
in the Competition as it coincided with our first live
Internet coverage. Even though we won in the end by
eight points, there was never much between the teams in
the first fifty minutes, at the end of which the sides
were level. Our opponents seemed to tire at this
juncture and we added on 1-5 without reply in the
remaining minutes and gained a place in the final with
two rounds still to be played.
All but one point (3-22) of the combined scores came
from play in this clean, sporting game. An Ghaeltacht
had the only score of the game from a free. Referee,
Tony Lyons, deserves a lot of credit for allowing the
game to be free flowing from start to finish.
The teams exchanged points on two occasions in the first
ten minutes. We got on top in the next five and scored
three unanswered points to lead at the end of the first
quarter, 0-5 to 0-2. Defences were on top for most of
the second quarter, both sides managing just two points.
In injury time however our opponents scored two points,
leaving us 0-7 to 0-6 in front at the interval.
We had a point at the start of the second half but a
point by our opponents, followed by a goal in the 39th
minute, put them two points ahead. A great Andrew
Kenneally goal a minute later edged us in front. An
Ghaeltacht, with a point, equalised the game at the end
of the third quarter. There was no score for the next
five minutes but we dominated the last ten minutes,
scoring 1-5 without reply, for an eight point victory.
Alan Kelly was very safe in goal. Best in defence were
James Cahillane, Eoin Brosnan and Gavin Tucker. Ambrose
O'Donovan and Johnny Buckley gave us a pull at midfield
and contributed three points between them. Best in
attack were Kieran O'Leary, Brian Looney and Andrew
Kenneally.
Dr Crokes Best Player; Kieran
O'Leary.
Our best wishes for a speedy
recovery to Luke Quinn who sustained a knee injury
during the game.
Team and Scorers; Alan Kelly;
John Payne, James Cahillane, Luke Quinn; Mike Moloney,
Eoin Brosnan, Gavin Tucker 0-1; Ambrose O'Donovan 0-2,
Johnny Buckley 0-1; James Fleming 0-1, Andrew
Kenneally 1-0, Brian Looney 0-1; Kieran O'Leary 1-6,
Kieran Brosnan, Daithi Casey 0-1; Subs; James
Jones, Jamie Doolan 0-1, Shane O'Neill, Denis Galvin.
Round 8-----Dr Crokes 0-12 Laune Rangers 1-06 Sat August 14th @ 7.30pm (JP O'Sullivan Park, Killorglin)
Round 8 ----- Dr Crokes
0-12-------- Laune Rangers 1-6.(played
in Killorglin on Saturday 15th August)
We had a good three point win over Laune
Rangers in the County League on Saturday last. This
gives us fifteen points out of a possible sixteen in the
competition and a five point lead over our nearest
rival. We were worth our win even though it wasn't a
vintage display. Both sides were short a few players,
the most notable absentees being Colm Cooper and Mike
Frank Russell.
We were quick out of the blocks, with three
unanswered points in the first five minutes. The next
five minutes belonged to our opponents, who scored 1-2,
for a 1-2 to 0-3 lead There was stalemate for the next
ten minutes, with no score being recorded by either
side. We were well on top in the last ten minutes of the
half and our three points to their one, left the teams
level, 1-3 to 0-6 at the interval.
Even though the play ebbed and flowed in the
third quarter, we took our chances better than Laune
Rangers, recording five points to their no score for a
five point lead. Our opponents, as one would expect of
them, put in a very good last quarter. They shot over
two points and but for a great save by our goalie, Alan
Kelly, they would have gained equality. Both sides had a
point each in the last five minutes, leaving us winners
by three points, 0-12 to 1-6.
Alan Kelly was sound in goal and had one great
save to his credit. Best in defence were Luke Quinn,
David O'Leary and Eoin Brosnan. Ambrose O'Donovan and
Johnny Buckley gave us a good pull at midfield. Best in
attack were Brian Looney, Andrew Kenneally and Daithi
Casey.
Dr Crokes Best Player; Brian
Looney.
Team and Scorers; Alan Kelly; Luke
Quinn, James Cahillane, David O'Leary; Batt Moriarty,
Eoin Brosnan, Gavin Tucker 0-1; Ambrose O'Donovan 0-1,
Johnny Buckley 0-1; James Fleming, Andrew Kenneally,
Brian Looney 0-3; Fionn Fitzgerald, David Moloney,
Daithi Casey 0-5(0-4frees). Subs; Shane
Myers 0-1.
Round 7-----Dr Crokes 0-14 Gneeveguilla 0-14 Sat July 25th @ 7.30pm (Lewis Rd)
We played out a draw with Gneeveguilla in round
7 of the County League and so remained unbeaten in the
Competition and went three points clear at the top of
the table. We were trailing in this game or level right
through, until we equalised with two points in the last
five minutes. When our opponents put on two points in
injury time, it looked as if only a goal could save us.
A point by Eoin Brosnan in the 62nd minute, followed a
minute later by one by David Moloney gave us equality at
the death.
The teams exchanged points in the first five
minutes but three unanswered points by our
opponents put them three in front after ten minutes.
Both teams had two points each before the end of the
first quarter and they replicated these scores during
the third quarter, leaving Gneeveguilla 0-8 to 0-5 ahead
at half time.
We had the best of the third quarter, scoring
five points to our opponents three to leave us just one
point behind. The teams exchanged points in the first
five minutes of the last quarter, but we drew level with
a point in the 56th minute. When our opponents had two
points early in injury time, our first defeat was
staring us in the face. We responded however with two
points in as many minutes to salvage a draw on the
stroke of full time.
Alan Kelly did well to keep a clean sheet. Best
in defence were Luke Quinn, Eoin Brosnan and Fionn
Fitzgerald. We tried hard at midfield but found it hard
to establish superiority in the area. Up front, Daithi
Casey, Brian Looney and David Moloney were best.
Dr Crokes Best Player; Eoin Brosnan.
Team and Scorers; Alan Kelly; Luke
Quinn, James Cahillane, Keith McMahon; Batt Moriarty,
Eoin Brosnan 0-1 Fionn Fitzgerald; James Jones,
Johnny Buckley 0-1; James Fleming, Andrew Kenneally 0-1,
Brian Looney 0-3(0-1,45), Shane O'Neill 0-1, David
Moloney 0-1, Daithi Casey 0-6(0-4frees). Subs;
Kieran Brosnan, Barra O'Connell.
Round 6 --- Dr Crokes
1-14 ---- Ardfert 0-13 (Played in
Ardfert on Friday 26th June)
We made it six out of six in the County League
as a result of our four point win over Ardfert. This win
was hard earned and was achieved because several players
left their poor County Championship display of the
previous week behind them. A concern to our mentors
would be that we went into the last quarter with a seven
point lead and allowed the opposition into the game.
They sent over four unanswered points and our only reply
in the period was an injury time insurance point by
Kieran O'Leary.
The teams exchanged points on three occasions
in the first ten minutes. They again had two points each
in the next ten minutes. The next eight minutes belonged
to us. A great Andrew Kenneally goal was followed by
three points, to put us six points clear. Ardfert
finished the half the better with two points, to leave
us 1-8 to 0-7 ahead at the interval.
The teams exchanged points in the first five
minutes of the second half. We outscored our opponents
four points to one in the next ten minutes to leave us
seven points clear, entering the last quarter. Ardfert
however are renowned for not giving up. They sent over
four points without reply to leave us just a major
ahead, going into injury time. Just before the last
whistle Kieran O'Leary sent over a point, which gave us
a four point win.
David Neeson, playing in his first Senior
County League game had an outstanding game in goal and
had two saves out of the top drawer in the 7th and 26th
minute. Best in defence were John Payne, David O'Leary
and Mike Moloney. Ambrose O'Donovan and Johnny Buckley
gave us a pull at midfield against formidable
opposition. All the forwards got on the score sheet and
played very well but one would have to pick out for
special mention the former members of the Kerry Senior
panel , Eoin Brosnan and Kieran O'Leary.
Andrew Kenneally , playing in his first Senior
County League game, after a serious injury, played in a
manner as if he had never been away and scored 1-1.
Dr Crokes Best Player;
Kieran O'Leary.
Team and Scorers; David Neeson;
Keith McMahon, Luke Quinn, John Payne; David O'Leary,
Mike Moloney, Batt Moriarty; Ambrose O'Donovan, Johnny
Buckley; Andrew Kenneally 1-1, Eoin Brosnan 0-2, Brian
Looney 0-3(0-1free); Kieran O'Leary 0-5(0-1free), David
Moloney 0-2, Fionn Fitzgerald 0-1. Subs; Daithi
Casey, James Fleming, Barra O'Connell.
Round 5 Div 1 County League Sat May 30th @ 7.30pm
(Lewis Rd)
Dr Crokes 2-13 Listowel
1-08
We registered our 5th victory in a row
in the County League on Saturday night last. Even though
we mightn't have been flattered by our eight point
winning margin, we still had to fight hard until the end
for the victory.
Listowel made the early running
and went three points to one in front after nine
minutes, our score coming from the boot of David
Moloney. Our opponents failed to score for the rest of
the half, during which period we sent over five points,
having enjoyed territorial advantage around midfield.
This gave us an interval lead of 0-6 to 0-3.
We started the second half very well,
scoring four points without reply for a seven point
lead. We had scored nine points without reply since the
9th minute of the game. The teams exchanged points in
the next two minutes but points by David Moloney
and Brian Looney and a great goal by Eoin Brosnan in the
17th minute more or less finished the game as a contest.
The last ten minutes belonged to our opponents who
showed great fighting qualities and registered 1-4
without reply to narrow the gap to five points. A Daithi
Casey goal on the stroke of full time gave us an eight
point win.
Alan Kelly did well in goal. Best in
defence were John Payne, Fionn Fitzgerald and James
Cahillane. Ambrose O'Donovan and Johnny Buckley gave us
a pull at midfield even though Listowel also had their
moments in the sector. Best in attack were Eoin Brosnan,
David Moloney and Daithi Casey.
Dr Crokes Best Player; David
Moloney.
Team and Scorers; Alan
Kelly; John Payne, Luke Quinn, Fionn Fitzgerald; Mike
Moloney, James Cahillane, Gavin Tucker; Ambrose
O'Donovan, Johnny Buckley; James Fleming, Eoin Brosnan
1-2, Brian Looney 0-3; Denis Galvin, David Moloney 0-4,
Daithi Casey 1-4(0-2frees). Subs; Shane
Myers.
Round 4 Div 1 County League Sat May 23rd @ 7.30pm
(Lewis Rd)
Dr Crokes 1-11 Rathmore 2-07
We
made it four out of four in Division 1 of the County
League as a result of our one point win over Rathmore.
We have played six County games this year, four in the
County League and two in the Club Championship and in
two of these games we have won by the minimum margin. We
did however lose our Club Championship game against
Ardfert in the closing minutes. When games go down to
the wire, like these did, either side can win but on
this occasion we did grind out victory with a last
minute point from a penalty.
We had the
wind at our back in the first half. The teams exchanged
points on two occasions in the first nine minutes. A
goal by Eoin Brosnan in the 10th minute was
followed a minute later by a Rathmore point. We got well
on top in the second quarter and outscored our opponents
four points to two , to go in at the interval 1-6 to
0-5 in front.
A
Rathmore goal three minutes after the interval reduced
our lead to a point. The teams exchanged points in the
next few minutes but we had a fruitful spell in the next
eight minutes, scoring three unanswered points, to go
four points clear. We are however failing to close out
games in situations like this and leaving ourselves
vulnerable to comebacks by our opponents. We failed to
score in the next quarter hour as Rathmore added on a
goal and a point to draw level, going in to the last
five minutes.
Substitute,
Andrew Kenneally won a penalty for us on the stroke of
full time, which we converted for the winning point.
Best in defence
were John Payne, Luke Quinn and James Cahillane. Johnny
Buckley and Ambrose O’Donovan gave us a good pull at
midfield. In attack Eoin Brosnan, Kieran O’Leary and
Shane Doolan were best.
Dr Crokes
Best Player; John Payne.
Team and
Scorers; Alan Kelly;
Fionn Fitzgerald, Luke Quinn, John Payne; Batt Moriarty,
James Cahillane, Mike Moloney; Johnny Buckley, Ambrose
O’Donovan 0-1; Daithi Casey 0-3(frees), Shane Doolan
0-1, Brian Looney; Kieran O’Leary 0-4(0-3frees) James
Fleming 0-1, Eoin Brosnan 1-0. Subs; Gavin Tucker,
Jamie Doolan 0-1(pen), Shane Myers, Andrew Kenneally.
Round 3 Div 1 County League Sat May 9th @ 7.30pm
(Away)
Dr Crokes 2-14 St Michaels/Foilmore
3-07
In what was our toughest game in the
County League thus far, we retained our one hundred per
cent record. This leaves us on our own at the top of the
table and on course to do very well in the competition.
Our opponents are the reigning All Ireland champions and
on last week ends evidence could make a big impact in
this years Bishop Moynihan competition.
The teams exchanged points on three
occasions in the first ten minutes. We then had two
points by Brian Looney from 45's, followed by a St
Michaels point. The game was won and lost in the last
ten minutes of the half, in which period we outscored
our opponents 2-3 to 0-2. This gave us an interval lead
of 2-8 to 0-6.
In the first ten minutes of the second
half we scored two unanswered points to go ten points
clear. Foilmore had no notion of throwing in the towel
and responded with two goals to our point to leave just
five points between the sides. We had a point in the
46th minute to extend our lead. The teams exchanged
points in the next two minutes but a goal by our
opponents in the 59th minute left just a score between
the sides. We gained possession from the kick out,
retained the ball with some slick passing and this
culminated in the insurance point from Shane Doolan and
victory by four points.
Our mentors are well aware that we
must tighten up at the back. Otherwise our display was
very efficent. Our opponents, even in defeat, must have
taken a lot of positives from their display. The game
was played in a very sporting manner throughout.
Best in defence were James Cahillane,
John Payne and Shane Doolan. We won the midfield battle
courtesy of the industrious James Jones and the
outstanding Johnny Buckley. The attack combined very
well as a unit with Brian Looney, Colm Cooper and James
Fleming emerging best of the sextet.
Dr Crokes Best Player; Brian
Looney.
Team and Scorers; Alan
Kelly; Keith McMahon, Luke Quinn, John Payne; Shane
Doolan 0-2, James Cahillane, Gavin Tucker; James Jones,
Johnny Buckley 0-1; Daithi Casey, James Fleming, Brian
Looney 1-5(0-2, 45s); Kieran O'Leary 0-1, Colm Cooper
0-3(frees), Jamie Doolan 1-1. Subs; David
Moloney 0-1.
Round 2 Div 1 County League Sat April 18th @ 7.00pm
(Lewis Road)
Dr Crokes 1-19 ------ Spa 1-11
We secured two more valuable points in
the County League as a result of our eight point win
over Spa. While we were well worth our victory, our
winning margin of eight points flattered us. We had
three very good periods during the game. From the 22nd
to the 27th minute we scored four points without reply.
In the first ten minutes of the second half we sent over
four unanswered points and in the last ten minutes of
the game we scored 1-5 to turn around a score that was
level into an eight point victory. We, with Kerins
O'Rahillys are now the only unbeaten teams in the
competition after two rounds.
The teams exchanged points in the
first five minutes. In the next five minutes Spa
converted their territorial supremacy into scores, with
three points. The teams exchanged points on two
occasions in the next five minutes but in the 20th
minute Spa had o point to go 0-7 to 0-3 in front. Then
came the first of our purple patches as we scored four
unanswered points in a five minute period to draw level.
The teams exchanged points before half time, making the
score eight points a piece at the end of the thirty
minutes.
We had our second period of supremacy
at the start of the second half and notched up four
points without reply in the first ten minutes. The teams
exchanged points in the next five minutes but a Spa goal
in the 48th minute, followed by a point two minutes
later brought them level. Then came our whirlwind
finish, a great Brian Looney goal, followed by five
points which gave us an eight point win.
Kieran Cremin was very sound in goal.
Best in defence were the outstanding John Payne, Shane
Doolan and Batt Moriarty. It was nip and tuck at
midfield but we controlled certain periods of the game
which led to our big score of 1-19. Best in attack were
Kieran O'Leary, Colm Cooper and Brian Looney.
Dr Crokes Best Player;
Kieran O'Leary.
Team and Scorers; Kieran
Cremin; John Payne, Mike Moloney, James Cahillane; Batt
Moriarty, Luke Quinn, Shane Doolan; Johnny Buckley 0-2,
James Jones; James Fleming 0-1, Daithi Casey 0-2(frees),
Brian Looney 1-1; Kieran O'Leary 0-7(0-1free), Colm
Cooper 0-3, Jamie Doolan 0-3. Subs;
Fionn Fitzgerald, Denis Galvin.
Round 1 Div1 County League Sun April 5th @2.30pm (at
Milltown)
Milltown/Castlemaine 1-7 ----- Dr Crokes 1-15.
In this first round game we took advantage of
the wind behind us in the first half to build up a 1-10
to 0-2 interval lead. This was far from a one sided
first half , in spite of our eleven points advantage.
Our opponents had many attacks in this half but were
denied scores by our excellent goalkeeper, Alan
Kelly and our close marking defence. Milltown,
territorially had the better of the exchanges in the
second half and reduced the deficit to seven points at
the threequarter stage. We scored three points to their
two in the last fifteen minutes for an eight point win.
Playing some excellent football, we had four
points without reply in the first quarter. Milltown had
their first score of the game, a point in the eighteenth
minute. We had o point in the 20th minute, followed by
1-3 from Colm Cooper in the next five minutes, the goal
a vintage Gooch effort. We had two points to our
opponents one in the remaining minutes, to go in at half
time with a lead of 1-10 to 0-2.
Even though we had the first score of the
second half, a point in the 32nd minute minute, this
third quarter belonged to Milltown, who scored 1-3 to
our 0-1 and reduced the lead to seven points. We again
upped our display in the last quarter, scoring three
points to our opponents two for an eight point victory.
Alan Kelly had a great game in goal. Best in
defence, especially in the first half , were John Payne,
Luke Quinn and Mike Moloney. Our other three defenders
also gave very little away. We were on top at midfield
in the first half but played second best to our
opponents in the second thirty minutes. Even though Colm
Cooper stood out in attack, all the other forwards could
be very happy with their performances.
Dr Crokes Best Player;
Colm Cooper.
Team and Scorers; Alan Kelly;
John Payne, Mike Moloney, Luke Quinn; Batt Moriarty,
James Cahillane 0-1, Shane Doolan; Johnny Buckley 0-2,
James Jones; James Fleming 0-1, Daithi Casey, Brian
Looney 0-2; Kieran O'Leary 0-3, Colm Cooper
1-5(0-2frees), Jamie Doolan 0-2. Subs; Ambrose
O'Donovan, Fionn Fitzgerald, David Moloney, Shane Myers.
