Kenmare District storm to victory over Dr Crokes

COUNTY UNDER 21 FC SEMI-FINAL Kenmare District 2-18 Dr Crokes 3-11

DESPITE conceding three goals inside the opening quarter, Kenmare District found a way to get the better of Dr Crokes on home turf last Thursday night as a dominant second-half display at midfield was the key to the hosts booking their place in next Wednesday evening’s Under 21 Final.

Team mentor Seán O’Shea Snr said that the district side were always conscious of the wind in the second period despite their poor start.

“We knew it would be in our favour and it was typical of the Crokes in the way they opened up for the three goals.

“We managed to get a hold on things however and we spoke at half-time about putting more pressure on their kick-outs and the breaks.

“We just want to thank Crokes for agreeing to the toss, the crowd here tonight shows it was the right decision as opposed to playing it at a neutral venue and, while it will be hard to prepare for the final, the lads are fit and used to playing each other up along at this stage,” he said.

While he agreed that Kenmare District just had that bit extra on the night, Dr Crokes manager Vince Casey felt that a first-half black card for Mark O’Shea had a crucial bearing on the game.

“Personally I felt it was harsh and there was no intent on Mark’s part. We were already without Jordan Kiely and Micheal Burns through injury and Aaron Murphy through suspension so it made things that bit harder.

“I won’t fault our lads for effort, however, and they kept battling right until the end. Kenmare got a better grip of the game around midfield and we found it difficult to break down their kick-out in the second-half.

“Ultimately it’s about getting more experience for the players in their development and we will just have to wait and see if it’s an Under 20 or Under 21 competition next year,” he said.

O’Shea was a big part of a strong start from the Killarney side that had them 3-3 to 0-5 in front after 14 minutes.

The impressive Paul Clarke scored their first goal after three minutes and he was the provider for Adam O’Shea to score their second after 10 minutes, returning the favour to O’Shea for setting up the first.

Chris Doncel also stood out for the Killarney side as Mark O’Shea put them seven ahead with their third goal midway through the first period.

District goalkeeper Ray O’Shea saved a potential fourth goal from David Shaw, while at the other end Killian Spillane scored morale boosting goal for the district in the 23rd minute.

Mark O’Shea’s black card followed three minutes later and his absence made the swift in momentum to the hosts all the more noticeable.

Kenmare reduced the deficit to only three points at half-time, 3-7 to 1-10 as Mikey Casey put an early chance wide for the visitors after scoring the first second-half point.

The hosts started to dictate the pace however as they were getting more and more chances and by the 48th minute they were level when Patrick O’Shea put over one of four second-half points to tie the match at 3-8 to 1-14.

Billy Courtney and Sean O’Shea exchanged frees but the goal that put Kenmare ahead came in the 51st minute. Despite Tadhg Siochrú’s initial effort being saved by Johnny O’Leary, Patrick Clifford collected the rebound and found Kevin Price for a crucial 2-15 to 3-9 advantage.

Casey did have another opportunity for Crokes to salvage matters near the finish but O’Shea was equal to his effort before Shaw put over the rebound.

David Hallissey made a crucial interception for Kenmare before the finish as O’Leary denied Patrick O’Shea a third Kenmare goal near the end.

Killian Spillane finished off with 1-4 as Kenmare can now look forward to a second Kerry U-21 Final in four years.

Depending on what the age is for next year, Crokes still appear to have a strong nucleus for 2018, but all eyes will be on the decider between the victors and Mid Kerry in just a week’s time.

KENMARE DISTRICT: Ray O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), Denis Cronin (do), Dara O’Shea (do), Flor O’Sullivan (Kilgarvan), Kevin Price (Shamrocks, 1-0), John Mark Foley (Kilgarvan), Gearóid Fennessy (do, 0-1), Josh Crowley Holland (Templenoe), David Hallissey (Shamrocks), Tadhg Siochrú (Tuosist, 0-1, 1f), Sean O’Shea (Shamrocks, 0-5, 2f), Stephen O’Sullivan (Templenoe, 0-2, 1f), Patrick O’Shea (Kilgarvan, 0-4), Killian Spillane (1-4), Brian O’Sullivan (0-1) Subs: Patrick Clifford (Templenoe) for Flor O’Sullivan

DR CROKES: Johnny O’Leary, David Naughton, Creagh Courtney, Brian Fitzgerald, Brendan Coppinger, Gavin White, Lorcan McMonagle, Billy Courtney (0-5, 4, 1’45’), Paul Clarke (1-0), Darren O’Doherty, Michael Casey (0-2), Chris Doncel (0-1), Adam O’Shea (1-0), Mark O’Shea (1-0), David Shaw (0-3) Subs: Mark Harnett for Mark O’Shea (Black Card), James McAuliffe for O’Doherty and Jason O’Leary for Harnett

REFEREE: Jonathon Griffin (Glenbeigh/ Glencar)