Kenmare sweat on Spillane fitness

KENMARE District have some major injury worries ahead of facing Dr Crokes in Fitzgerald Stadium in Sunday’s County Final.

Adrian Spillane’s (right) hamstring injury sustained at the end of their pulsating win over Rathmore along with a shoulder problem for Brian Crowley and a bout of glandular fever for Kevin O’Sullivan have hindered John Galvin’s side preparations for the encounter.

The match between the two sides will evoke memories of the 1987 final between the same teams, a match Kenmare District won right at the end when Eugene McCarthy scored a goal right at the death to give the district its second ever county title with a 3-10 to 0-18 win after a replay.

Galvin was a substitute for Dr Crokes that day, but his focus is solely on the district’s chances of repeating that famed win. He feels the rushed nature of the conclusion of this year’s competition is taking away from the encounter somewhat.

“I know there are other fixtures that have to be played, but I feel out of respect for both sets of players a two week break would have been only fair. We’re doing the best we can with it however (the straight turnaround),” the Kenmare District manager said. Dr Crokes selector Harry O’Neill agrees with Galvin about the time frame not being ideal in terms of preparation. “I suppose it would be nice for everyone involved to have a bit of excitement build up for another week before the Final. We’re past that now though and from our own point of view we’re fortunate to have no major injury concerns ahead of the match,” he said.

Crokes are bidding for their 11th county title in total and a first since 2013 with 1974 the only other time Kenmare District have won the county’s top honour besides 1987.

An interesting side note to Sunday’s game is that the 1991 Dr Crokes side which featured the County Final’s opposing managers in both Pat O’Shea and Galvin will be honoured on the 25th anniversary of that success.

The Killarney club ended a 77 year wait for a county title with victory over Castleisland Desmonds in that encounter on their way to the club’s sole All-Ireland Senior Club title in 1992.

Meanwhile, there have been credible reports this week linking young Dingle star Mark O’Connor with a move to Australia, with up to three AFL clubs thought to be in the running for his signature according to the AFL’s official website – Geelong, North Melbourne and Melbourne.