Goals help Crokes to U-16 Division 3 title

U16 EAST KERRY DIVISION 3 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Dr Crokes 3-7 Firies 0-14

FIRIES controlled much of this Division 3 U-16 East Kerry final played in fine conditions in Rathbeg on Sunday morning. However Dr Crokes scored three goals in the second half to win the tie by two points. The third and decisive goal came on minute thirty and was scored by Liam Randles with a powerful shot and a wicket deflection to deceive the Firies goal keeper.

Crokes were first to settle and dominated the first quarter and were three points to one up after twenty minutes. Cian McMahon was dominant for Crokes scoring two with Cillian Courtney getting the other. Cian Doe was the most accomplished ball striker and dangerous forward for Firies. He scored three frees for Firies from distance as Firies dominated the second quarter. Peter Cosgrave from centre back for Firies had a point from long range before McMahon for had his third point just before half time. The sides were level on four points each at the break.

The Crokes captain Cian McMahon forced a double save from the Firies Keeper Brian McCarthy in the first minute of the second half. Firies then dominated with four points from Doe, Stephen Palmer, James Horgan and Colm O’Shea to lead by double scores. Dr Crokes keeper Shay O’Meara pulled off a fine save from Firies wing back Christopher Palmer before Cillian Courtney and McMahon got two points for Crokes. Cian Doe continued to dominate for Firies with two further points, despite very close attention. Firies were five points up when Luke Ring scored a point after twenty minutes. Cian McMahon got his first goal on twenty one minutes, Teddy Muldoon hit the Firies crossbar after a goal attempt and Cian McMahon had two further goal attempts, netting one on minute twenty four. Cian Doe reduced the deficit to one point before the deflected goal. Four minutes of injury time was played and Firies were able to score two further points from Stephen Palmer and Brian Burke.

Denis McCrohan presented the cup to the Dr Crokes captain Cian McMahon. He thanked the referee John Purcell and the sponsors MD O’Shea.

DR CROKES: Shay O Meara, Liam Sheehan, Harry Byrne, Erin Moloney, Jack lynch, Nathaniel Doncel, Dara Looney, Charlie Keating, Liam Randles, Alex Hennigan, Mark Clifford, Sean Fitzgerald, Michael lynch, Cian McMahon, Cillian Courtney. Subs: Mark Long, Cormac Roe, Eoghan O Dubháin, Shane McAllister, Karl McCarthy, Teddy Muldoon, Conal Gallagher, Scott O Meara, Robbie Hartnett, Jason Lee, Ronan Coffey.

FIRIES: Brian McCarthy, Jack Costelloe, Tomás Clifford, Cian Sheehan, Darren Deniel, Peter Cosgrave, Christopher Palmer, Brian Burke, Hugh Walsh, Michael Brosnan, Cian Doe, Colm O’Shea, Stephen Palmer, John Power, James Horgan. Subs: Andrew Moynihan, Cormac Costello, Luke Ring, Evan Ryan, Conall O’Mahony, Dillon Butler, Luke Costello, Aaron Burke.