Harry O’Neill credits one of Crokes better performances in some time

NOTWITHSTANDING his eternal optimism Harry O’Neill found it difficult to pick holes in Dr Crokes polished demolition of Kilmurry-Ibrickane, save for to agree with the suggestion that some of the wasted goal chances might be a concern. Wasted goal chances are always a concern, unless your teams wins by 15 points.

“Very happy with the performance overall, in fairness to our lads. The two lads (Buckley and O’Donovan) gave us a great platform early on and the backs coming out created openings, but having said that, yes, some of the chances we created in the first half we weren’t clinical enough early on,” the Dr Crokes selector suggested in the aftermath of the county champions booking their place in another Munster final.

“After eight or ten minutes we could have had another 2-3 on the board but our lads are experienced enough and they kept plugging and we got the couple of chances then and finished them. It was a good day at the office for our lads and we’re happy.”

An easier than expected afternoon’s work, considering how Kilmurry-Ibrickane have given Dr Crokes tougher days, both in west Clare and Killarney?

“The scoreboard was probably a little bit easier than we would have thought we’d have it going into the game, but we probably haven’t been as happy with some of our performances prior to this. We wanted to be more clinical, we weren’t in the first half but when the questions were asked our lads dug deep and played well.

“You’re looking to improve every game. That’s the mantra you go with, that every game you should get better. We had it last year and again this year that’s there’s very little break between games. When you’re coming to this time of year pitches are that bit heavier and the chances of picking up knocks and injuries, the possibility becomes higher. At the same if you’re playing matches every week in October and November you’re in a very happy place,” O’Neill said.

Today I thought we were very slick and I thought we played quite well. We were not as slick above in Clonmel against Clonmel Commercials, it was a week after our county final. Being at home (does help), you know the ground, the pitch and fellas are more comfortable in the zones they’re in. That was one of our better performances in a long time.”

O’Neill concurred with the press corp that Johnny Buckley had a hugely influential game for the winners, but O’Neill was quite sympathetic towards Buckley’s midfield partner, Ambrose O’Donovan, who was dismissed on a black card after 17 minutes.

“In fairness to Ambrose I though he was harshly done by. It was probably a yellow card it was careless tackle but not a black card in my book.”