Dr Crokes retain Munster Club title; Kenmare are Munster junior champs

THE Dr Crokes machine continued to roll on in December as the county champions retained their provincial title with a convincing win over Cork champions Castlehaven.

The Kerry champions justified their pre-match favouritism with an excellent display of powerful football in testing conditions in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

For once Dr Crokes didn’t kill off a team with their trademark goals - instead Crokes gave a masterclass in point scoring.

Nineteen in all they mined against the Cork champions, who finished the game with fourteen players after Sean Dineen was dismissed on a second yellow card.

Brian Looney kicked seven points, each one a thing of beauty, whiloe Colm Cooper and Kieran O’Leary chipped in with three points apiece.

At one stage Dr Crokes led by 11 points but in the end they settled for an unflattering seven-point victory to retain their provincial title and book an All-Ireland quarter-final against London champions Tir Conall Gaels.

Dr Crokes duly travelled to Ruislip a fortnight later and made easy work of the Exiles. Two goals from Chris Brady and a third from Kieran O’Leary helped secure a 3-12 to 0-6 win for a Crokes and a place in the All-Ireland Club semi-finals.

Meanwhile, following their 2-15 to 1-8 provincial semifinal win over Cork side Rockchapel, Kenmare lifted the Munster Club Junior Football title following their 0-20 to 2-8 victory over Cappamore of Limerick.

Paul O’Connor scored ten points, including five converted frees, while Stephen O’Brien scored four points and DJ Brennan added three in their easy win.

■ Jubilant Kenmare players and supporters celebrate after capturing the Munster Junior Football title in December after they defeated Cappamore of Limerick in the final.