Where Dr Crokes can win it...
O’Shea is the best in the business
With no disrespect whatsover to any previous Dr Crokes management team, the club have the absolute best man for the job in situ right now. Timing is everything too of course. When he took over before last season, the club were in a bit of a lull period following their 2010-13 hegemony.
With the loss to Castlebar in 2014 – along with the injury to Colm Cooper – it was all but inevitable that some sort of a drop off would take place. Having been on the road as long as they were (challenging for All Ireland titles too along the way don’t forget) a certain amount of fatigue, mental as well as physical was to be expected.
By the start of last season, however, the players were clearly rearing to go again. They had all the talent you could want to win a county championship and, indeed, an All Ireland... so why shouldn’t they challenge for it? O’Shea got them believing again. He got them playing the best football they’d played in years. It’s hardly a coincidence that since he’s taken the helm they’ve been all but untouchable domestically.
Players have improved under his watch. Take Shane Murphy as an example (who is a reason why Crokes can win all on his own). We all knew he was an excellent keeper, but in his two years under O’Shea’s tutelage he’s blossomed to become probably the top keeper in the county. Then to top it all off there’s been no evidence of a drop off in ambition or hunger this year despite the club claiming its first Andy Merrigan success in a generation. He’s clearly an expert motivator. With him at the helm the Crokes aren’t going away any time soon.
Remarkable strength in depth
In any other club in the county – and probably the country if we’re being honest – the loss of a player like Kieran O’Leary for a county semi-final would be a debilitating blow, just not for Dr Crokes. Tony Brosnan slotted in for the former inter-county man and the Crokes carried on serenely. Brosnan nabbed two from play and the Crokes machine quietly and efficiently dismantled an inexperienced district combination.
A look at the Crokes bench is a truly sobering thing for any club or district side hoping to challenge them this year or in the years ahead. Jordan Kiely (an All Ireland winning minor) came off the bench to grab two goals against West Kerry. They’ve got other former minors like David Shaw (a real gem of a player), Billy Courtney and David Naughton. They’ve got experienced players like Ambrose O’Donovan and Eoin Brosnan. They’ve got a bit of everything. It’s hugely impressive.
Evolution has made them stronger
Strange though it may seem given that they won an All Ireland title in March, but it’s possible that the Crokes are even better now than then. Micheál Burns has nailed down a starting berth and shows every sign of developing into the player so many of us expected him to become (it won’t be long before he’s pushing for a place on the Kerry senior team). It’s allowed Daithí Casey to move to midfield on a more regular basis and the club captain is performing at the peak of his powers right now. The management team is constantly improving this side, which has the added benefit of keeping everybody on their toes. Nobody is assured of anything.