Crokes beat An Ghaeltacht to retain County SFL title
CREDIT UNION COUNTY SFL DIVISION 1 FINAL
Dr Crokes 2-13 An Ghaeltacht 1-10
PLENTY of opinion expressed prior to throw in, having regard to the timing of this particular fixture and, indeed, in relation to the decision of having a final to decide the outright winners.
Both sides were short some regulars and, in terms of having the better run in, and, level of preparation, the West Kerry side with their season still very much alive and coming off the back of their successes both in Munster and at District Board level, looked as if they might have an advantage in that respect with Crokes having just returned from holiday during the week.
However, with another trophy at stake and the prospect of claiming all three major trophies in Kerry along with completing a hat-trick of league titles there was never a chance that the Killarney side would approach matters in a complacent manner.
They set the tempo from the outset and while they lacked their normal fluency at times and at times had lapses of indifference, overall they were the more accomplished outfit, with the facility to create and convert scores with more clinical efficiency.
No lack of urgency either with the industry of such as Gavin O’Shea, Micheál Burns and Brian Looney ensuring that the engine was always motoring on full throttle.
An Ghaeltacht were honest and brave, and, committed to a policy to attack in numbers, but were unable to manage the game as well as Crokes who exploited all of the space which was afforded to them and given time to weave simple but effective patterns of play the level of their quality and expertise ensured that they were always going to hold sway.
Impressive scores were exchanged at opposite ends inside the opening four minutes before Micheál Burns struck for a somewhat fortuitous goal in the ninth minute with a shot which dipped beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net.
It looked as if he angled his shot for a point, but the result was that it afforded Crokes the cushion and the platform to open up a decisive lead 1-3 0-1 by the fourteenth minute.
However, a goal from Sean Ó Bambaire, converted from close range, having out manoeuvred his marker to a dropping ball in the square afforded An Ghaeltacht a much needed lifeline even if the response from Crokes was immediate with they adding two more points within a minute to lead by four points 1-5 1-1 at the end of the opening quarter.
For a period Crokes looked less assured, especially in defensive situations, and, with Oigi Ó Sé offering a lot in terms of endeavour, and, Eanna Ó Conchuir very much a driving force, as he was throughout the visitors came more into contention, but it wasn’t fully reflected on the scoreboard.
Kieran O’Leary continued to be a most resourceful attacker for Crokes and, when he created the opportunity for Paul Clarke to palm home his side’s second goal in the twenty fourth minute it opened up some daylight 2-7 1-2 between the teams.
However, a final first half flourish which yielded three unanswered points brought An Ghaeltacht closer, but, they still trailed by six points 2-8 1-5 at the interval break with Crokes having failed to convert another gilt edged goaling opportunity.
Man of the Match Brian Looney was quite an influential figure at the outset of the second half, with some of his lung bursting and penetrating runs, contributing to he being both a scorer and a provider, and, while Eanna O Conchuir was effective with a number of inch perfect deliveries from distance Gaeltacht were still battling somewhat against the odds with the score being 2- 12 1- 7 at the end of the third quarter.
Even if, the end result was, to a large extent a foregone conclusion it didn’t in any way lessen the momentum of the visitors with Sean M Ó Conchuir twice creating goal opportunities which were denied One could factor in Shane Murphy’s saves inthe second half,but, at a time when An Ghaeltacht were still in contention, even if struggling to maintain parity, Crokes second goal inthe 24th minute opened up aneight-point lead, and, thereafter An Ghaeltacht were left withamountaintoclimb. Ultimately it proved to be a bridge too far.
TALKING POINT
It’s old hat, atthisstage, but it’s still a bone of contention for players and supporters alike. Basically, should theteam which tops the points table be crowned leaguechampions? Probably or maybe, given thatthesponsors might want afinal as part of the package.So, it’s easy to relate to that as well, even if, one might feel thatmaybe there should be finals in all of thedivisions, takingplace, if possible on the same weekend. by excellent blocks from Shane Murphy from close range.
Certainly, a number one in every sense of the word, and, a player who has been a central figure in all of his side’s success this past season.
A goal for the Gaeltacht with five minutes of normal time remaining with six points 2-12 1-9 separating the teams at that time might well have set the scene for a grandstand finish, but, with both sides having introduced a number of substitutes, Crokes, with a comfortable lead, with time running out, and, with the ability to run down the clock were never really going to relinquish their grip, at that particular juncture.
Fittingly, it was Brian Looney who sealed it with a shot which was tipped over the bar by Tomas Mac an tSaoir. Substitute David Shaw had another goal chance before the end, but, by that stage it would merely have been of academic interest.
Crokes had got the job done with a performance which wasn’t entirely flawless, but, was certainly efficient and sufficient.
It ensured that their dominance
MAIN MAN
Brian Looney got the official award and he deserved it, just about.Kieran O’Leary’s clinical finishingand Shane Murphy’s shot stoppingwere also hugely influential factors in Crokes success, while, EannaÓ Conchuir’s all action input for An Ghaeltacht was also extremely notable.However, Looney’s overall efficiency impacted on all aspects ofplay.
KEY MOMENT
of all competitions in the county remains intact.
An Ghaeltacht will now turn their attentions to their All Ireland semi-final meeting with Moy in January, and while it promises to be, every inch a testing encounter for them, it’s unlikely that the opposition will be as formidable as Crokes, and in that respect last weekend’s contest should stand to them in good stead.
DR CROKES: Shane Murphy, John Payne, Michael Moloney, Luke Quinn, Cillian Fitzgerald, Alan O’Sullivan (0-2), Jason Lyne, Daithi Casey (0-1f), Eoin Brosnan (0-1), Micheal Burns (1-0), Gavin O’Shea, Brian Looney (0-2), Colm Cooper (0-3, 1f), Paul Clarke (1-0), Kieran O’Leary (0-4) Subs: Mike Milner for M Burns, David Shaw for P Clarke.
AN GHAELTACHT: Tomas Mac an tSaoir, Peter Paul Sauerland, Marc Ó Sé, Cathal O Luing, PJ Mac Laimh, (0-1), Brian O Beaglaoich (0-1), Gearoid Mac an tSaoir, Roibeard Ó Sé, Sean Ó Gairbhi, Oigi Ó Sé, Dara Ó Sé (0-2), Cathal Mac Gearailt (0-1), Sean Ó Bambaire (1-1), Eanna Ó Conchuir (0-3, 1f), Sean M Ó Conchuir (0-1f) Subs: Cathal Ó Gairbhi for C Mac Gearailt, Gearoid Mac Gearailt for Ó Sé, Adam Mac Amhlaoibh, for G Mac An tSaoir, Feargal Ó Cuanaigh for R Ó Sé, Shane Ó Grifin for S Ó Gairbhi.
REFEREE: Padraig O Sullivan (Firies)