Crokes cruise, Legion surprise in senior club

TESTED much more than they were the previous week across the road on home turf, Dr Crokes recovered from a disappointing start to go on and record a five point win over Rathmore in Fitzgerald Stadium last Sunday.

Standing off from the throwin, Rathmore’s Mark Ryan won the ball and tore through for the opening score of the game. The resulting kick-out led to Rathmore’s first goal as Paul Murphy overcame a scramble of Crokes defenders for a 1-1 to 0-0 lead.

After having defeated Kilcummin in Rathbeg the previous Wednesday evening in their First Round encounter, Rathmore looked like they meant business from the start with Ryan revelling in midfield and Crokes needing a combination of Jordan Kiely and Colm Cooper to get them on the score-sheet.

The fact the All-Ireland senior club champions had the wind made Rathmore’s start all the more notable as Shane Ryan converted a ‘45 in the 11th minute before Brian Looney drew Crokes level at the end of the first quarter at 1-3 to 0-6.

Ambrose O’Donovan put them ahead for the first time a minute later but a peculiar incident in the 22nd minute saw a ‘45 signalled by the umpires at the dressing room end of the ground only for play to continue and Daithí Casey put over what he thought was another Crokes point at the other end.

Referee Jer Lynch eventually reversed the decision to award the point and called play back for the initial ‘45 which eventually went wide.

Murphy had drawn the sides level again only for a ‘45 from Crokes goalkeeper Shane Murphy and a second Brian Looney point to give the Killarney side a 0-10 to 1-5 lead at half-time.

Rathmore would have been hoping for the aid of the breeze in the second period but Crokes brought in Kieran O’Leary and David Shaw to give them more impetus. A decisive moment in Crokes’ favour came in the 41st minute when Jordan Kiely was fouled for a penalty, which Casey billowed into the top corner of the net giving Kenneth O’Keeffe no chance along with a 1-13 to 1-5 lead.

Rathmore didn’t wilt though, Mark Ryan getting their first score of the second-half three minutes later and Crokes needing a fine piece of goalkeeping from Shane Murphy on the three-quarter mark to stop John Moynihan getting their opponents a second goal at the concession of a point.

Rathmore did have appeals for a penalty late on but it would only have been a consolation score as Cooper (5) and Kiely (4) combined for at least half the victors’ total on the day with nine points.

Mark Reen scored the last point of the day after seven minutes of stoppage time were played and the side of the post had denied Eoin Lawlor with a late, hopeful effort.

Shane Doolan impressed in a defensive role for the Killarney side who reach the final of this competition for the sixth consecutive year and will turn their eyes to this weekend’s second semi-final between neighbouring Legion and Kenmare Shamrocks.

It will be a while before the decider of this competition will be played but Crokes will be happy to be back in the ‘standby’ match for another trip beyond the county bounds as thoughts now turn to the early part of the defence of the Bishop Moynihan.

Rathmore will be disappointed with this loss but hopeful of improvement when a certain Aidan O’Mahony returns to their ranks amongst others!