Kenmare Shamrocks pip Dr Crokes to win County Minor League Division 1 title

COUNTY MINOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 FINAL

Kenmare Shamrocks 3-9 Dr. Crokes 2-10

KENMARE Shamrocks captured a coveted County Minor Division One title on Monday in Fitzgerald Stadium after seeing off a brave challenge by Dr Crokes.

This was enthralling football by both sides, each willing to commit to attacking football in spite of the challenge of wind and rain. Refreshing to see in this day and age by both clubs, and two enthusiastic sets of supporters certainly appreciated it.

Kenmare were against that strong wind in the first half but made a very impressive start, Liam Brown deftly fisting over and Oisín O’Connor curling over a beauty to make it 0-2 to 0-0.

Crokes were quick to respond. Mark Carroll got a good fist to a ’45 but couldn’t quite direct it on target, but Crokes turned over the kick-out and he made no mistake with his second attempt. Two minutes later he sent a long ball into Ben Kelleher – clearly a pre-planned tactic - and the danger-man adroitly added point number two.

Dr Crokes were gradually taking control, with their half back line especially impressive in soaking up Kenmare attacks and launching quick and effective counters. Mark Carroll nudged them in front and then sent another guided missile into Kelleher, again with the desired result. The kick-out was again turned over, with Donal O’Shea forced into a truly spectacular diving save to deny Kelleher a goal.

Crokes kept coming, with Cian Mulcahy and Liam Hennigan making it 0-6 to 0-2. Things looked ominous for Kenmare when Kelleher took his personal tally to 0-3 and Crokes into a five point lead. Even allowing for the wind disadvantage, Kenmare needed a lifeline.

To say that they got it would be an understatement, with Diarmuid Healy on the end of a nice team move to slot past a hapless Kacper Robak from close range. But the euphoria was very short-lived.

Adam Byrne’s long free somehow evaded everyone and carried into the net, and Dr. Crokes had their five point lead restored as they headed off for the break 1-7 to 1-2 in front.

Ben Kelleher stretched the lead on the resumption, but sure enough the wind began to tell and Kenmare began to break forward. Neal O’Shea popped over a point. David Grebowiec sent a long free towards the back post and Oisín O’Connor rose high to fist home to the net. 1-8 to 2-3.

Dr Crokes were starting to cough up a few turnovers under pressure, and one almost proved very costly, but Neal O’Shea’s goal effort rose a fraction too high. A foul on Grebowiec saw the same player draw the sides level.

Adam Byrne nudged Crokes back in front as the game headed into the fourth quarter with a great kick off his left. Liam Brown, Kenmare’s equally impressive midfielder, replied in kind and another Grebowiec free saw Kenmare go in front for the first time since the opening minutes.

They had two chances to stretch that lead but couldn’t quite convert. However, one more attack saw Neal O’Shea break into space, leaving the defender no choice but to foul him. Up stepped Grebowiec to the penalty spot and drove it firmly into the bottom left corner. He added a fine point from play and Michael Jones fisted over another.

Dr. Crokes have long established a hard-won reputation as a team that are never beaten until the final whistle, and this minor team are no exception. Ben Kelliher stood over a free, took a short one and gathered the return, and sent an immaculately measured ball into the square, where Sean Kiely darted forward to fist home.

Into injury time, a goal, between the sides, and tension at its height. Dr. Crokes had one last chance, Ben Kelleher standing over one last free, but this time it just over-carried and sailed over the crossbar. Too little, too late, and Kenmare Shamrocks, many of whom lifted a Munster U16 B Colleges trophy last week, have added another coveted piece of silverware to the cupboard. KENMARE SHAMROCKS: Donal O’Shea, Jack Sweeney, Conor Galvin, Colm Cronin, David O’Brien, Liam O’Sullivan, Michael Jones (0-1), Liam Browne (0-2), Chulann Hussey, Oisín O’Connor (1-1), David Grebowiec 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), Rossa Mac Gearailt, Aidan Casey, Diarmuid Healy (1-0), Neal O’Shea (0-2). Sub: Ruairí Daly

DR CROKES: Kacper Robak, Conn McGlynn, Conor Clifford, Conor Lynch, Muiris O’Donoghue, Seán Kiely (1-0), Jake Nash, Adam Byrne 1-1 (1-0f), Cian Mulcahy (0-1), Nathan Cronin, Mark Carroll (0-2), Liam Hennigan (0-1), Killian Collins, Ben Kelleher 0-5 (1f), Luke O’Shea. Subs: Cathal Sugrue, Darren O’Sullivan, Finn O’Donnell

REFEREE: Evan Horan (Glenflesk)