Response pleases O’Neill who enjoyed making it a family affair

HARRY O’Neill is no stranger to success having managed the Dr Crokes senior team to three Kerry senior county championships in 2000, 2010 and 2011.

He was also one of Pat O’Shea’s selectors in their All Ireland triumph in 2017. However, seeing his young team progress and win the Molyneaux Cup gave him a special sense of satisfaction.

“We had a lot of young fellas out there today and they did really well. We are after a great year with our promotion to Division 2 of the County League, and we also had a good run in the East Kerry Championship before losing to Kilcummin by a point.

“It’s great to have a bit of silverware to show at the end of the season. In fairness John Mitchels got a good run at us at the start of the second half and had us on the ropes, but I was delighted with the way that our lads responded and took control of the game once more.

“We took our scores when we needed to, but we left a good few behind us as well [Dr Crokes kicked 14 wides]. Overall though I’m delighted for the lads.”

O’Neill pointed to the performances of some of his central players as being vital to their win.

“Brendan Falvey was outstanding, especially in the first half. So was Mark [O’Shea], and Billy Courtney was brilliant all through. Once you are winning the battles in the central positions you have a chance, and I think that gives you a great platform to get the scores then”.

It was very much a family victory for the O’Neill’s as the manager’s son Cian started the game and his other son Shane came on as a second half substitute.

“It was great to have the three of us involved. Shane has been away up the country, while Cian has been with us throughout the season. Who knows, it might be the last time that all three of us are involved in the one team, so it’s a really nice memory to have.”