Champs to win through

COUNTY SFC ROUND 2A Dr Crokes v Kerins O’Rahillys

Sunday, September 9 Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney 3.45pm, Ref: Jonathan Griffin

A FORTNIGHT ago this fixture would have looked a foregone conclusion but after Dr Crokes’ round one struggles with St Kierans, followed up by Kerins O’Rahillys impressive win over Feale Rangers last weekend, it mightn’t be just as straight-forward as expected.

The defending champions certainly got a major fright from St Kierans in Lewis Road 10 days ago, and it remains to be seen if the move across the road to the Stadium helps them or not.

Plenty of credit to St Kierans for taking the game to Crokes but one can be certain manager Pat O’Shea has worked furiously on his players since to iron out any kinks in the champions.

O’Rahillys enjoyed a big win over a Feale Rangers team that actually played quite well, and the Blues will leave Strand Road with plenty of confidence that they can take down the champions. David Moran, Con Barrett, Tommy Walsh, Barry John Keane and Jack Savage will exercise Crokes minds plenty up front but it’s the O’Rahillys defenders who are going to be working overtime to contain a forward unit laden with talent and players who if they react in the right way could do untold damage on an O’Rahillys defence that is quite young and relatively inexperienced.

Hard to see Crokes getting caught here.

Verdict: Dr Crokes