Dr Crokes and Fossa to go again

PLAYED in Fitzgerald Stadium, Dr Crokes made the early running in this Division 2 final, and a ten point lead going into the last quarter.

However, three Fossa goals in the last fifteen minutes and a scatter of points had the minimum between the sides as the final whistle approached. A superbly kicked free levelled the scores, putting the game to a replay, which promises a scintillating rematch.

Dr Crokes opened strongly, striking four points without reply, two converted frees (Lee Downing, Fionnbharr Hickey) and a Lee Downing sweetly struck point before Eoin Moynihan added the fourth.

Fossa opened their account with a Ryan Sheehan point before Eamon Murphy added a second with a curling effort. Michael Linehan, Dr Crokes, and Emmet O’Shea, exchanged points with ten minutes remaining in the half.

Dr Crokes had a purple patch before the break. On the 21st minute Roan Delaney brilliantly fielded a long ball delivered to the edge of the square, turned quickly and dispatched to the Fossa net.

The same player and Lee Downing, added further points for Dr Crokes. While Eamon Murphy pointed for Fossa 1-7 to 0-4. Emmet O’Shea and John Talbot traded scores before Lee Downing converted a ‘45 for Dr Crokes to leave the half-time score Dr Crokes 1-9 Fossa 0-5.

Fossa reduced the margin early in the second half, with Emmet O’Shea and Cian O’Shea pointing after a fine run, but Dr Crokes responded immediately with white flags from Michael Lenihan and Roan Delaney.

Both goalkeepers made fine saves and when Josh Fleming finished a well taken goal on the 41st minute, the game seemed to be going away from Fossa, 2-11 to 0-7. However, Fossa really got to grips with this game. They had the ball in the net on the 45th minute, when midfielder Cian O’Shea caught a high ball and finished smartly.

Emmet O’Shea then added two points before Eoin Moynihan replied for Dr Crokes, 2-12 to 1-9. As excitement levels grew around the Stadium, Ryan Sheehan rebounded a goal for Fossa as pressure paid off.

Emmet O’Shea pointed, 2-12 to 2-10. Play flowed from end to end and Fossa’s Cian O’Shea flicked a ball to the net from a long pass, between two pointed frees from Dr Crokes, Lee Downing, leaving the minimum between the sides, 2-14 to 3-10, as the full-time whistle approached.

Fossa attacked at pace looking for an equaliser. In a frantic ending, Fossa were awarded a free 35 meters from goal and Emmet O’Shea remained coolest of all converting the pressure kick to level the game.

Both teams and mentors must be congratulated on a thrilling game.

The replay this evening (Wednesday) is at 5:45pm in Fitzgerald Stadium. DR CROKES: David O’Mahony, Ger Cronin, Eamonn Long, Caolan Ryan, Gary O’Connor, Seán O’Neill, Fionn O’Hare Doherty, Eoin Moynihan (0-2), Fionnbharr Hickey (0-2), Josh Fleming (1-0), Lee Downing (0-6; 2f; 1 ‘45’), Liam Kelliher, Michael Lenihan (0-2), Roan Delaney (1-2), Harry Potts Subs: Krystian Komosa, Oran O’Donoghue, Mark Cooper, Lorcan O’Hare Wyatt, Seán Magann, Lorcan Martin, Oisín O’Connor, Jamie Muldoon, Aaron Brennan, David Moriarty, Adam O’Connell FOSSA: Shane O’Sullivan, Naoise Buckley, Anthony O’Keeffe, Richard Wallace, Gary Cronin, Cian McCarthy, Mark Donnellan, Cian O’Shea (2-1), John Talbot, Eoin Talbot, Ryan Sheehan (1-1), Ewan Weldon, Ruaridh Doyle, Eamon Murphy (0-2), Emmet O’Shea (0-7; 2f) Subs: Daniel Talbot, Killian Buckley, Willian O’Brien, Colm Talbot, Evan Mannix, Pauric Talbot REFEREE: James O’Sullivan (Firies)