General News
Dr Crokes successfully negotiated their way through a tricky Kerry SFC opener against a Kenmare Shamrocks side who they had not beaten in the championship since 2019.
Once the mercurial Tony Brosnan converted a penalty in the 28th minute, Dr Crokes retired 1-5 to 1-3 in front at half time having played against the elements in the opening half.
With veterans Brian Looney and John Payne, as well as Mark O’Shea and Charlie Keating in form, Crokes moved through the gears in the second half with Micheal Burns joining Tony Brosnan with some superb scores.
Kenmare Shamrocks’ challenge dissipated as they fell seven points adrift entering added time.
However, a Seanie O’Shea punched goal gave them hopes of a miraculous comeback, but they ran out of time and had Tommy Cronin receive a straight red for a sideline altercation. Cronin had taken umbrage with a Crokes player not releasing the ball.
Ultimately, Crokes were full value for their win though the home side were unlucky on a couple of occasions.
Kevin O’Sullivan was correctly deemed to be in the square in the 34th minute but far more contentious for the Shamrocks supporters was the Shane Murphy save from a Seanie O’Shea punch when he rose highest in the 55th minute.
Murphy managed to save with his face and then as it flew towards his net, Murphy plucked it back out again. But there was a question around whether the ball had crossed the line or not.
The umpires never reached for a flag and Crokes counter-attacked and David Shaw kicked a superb point late on.
Tony Brosnan had drawn first blood with a close-range free in the third minute after David Shaw was fouled.
Kenmare replied in strong fashion just two minutes later, Kevin O’Sullivan floating a long ball into Sean O’Shea, who slipped a pass for David Hallissey but the ball slipped out of his grasp. The ball fell to the feet of O’Shea who slotted home from close range.
As the elements continued to play their part, Kenmare powered ahead 1-1 to 0-1 after O’Shea pointed a free. By the 16th minute, however, Crokes were right back in the tie.
Evan Looney, Brian Looney and a mark from Brosnan leveled matters for the first time in this heavyweight clash.
Kenmare nudged back ahead with an outside-of-the-boot strike by Stephen O’Brien, while Darragh O’Connor pointing from an acute angle.
Brosnan was an inspired figure and after pointing a free to reduce the gap to one, he was fouled by James McCarthy and Paul Hayes pointed to the spot.
Brosnan slotted home the penalty into the right bottom corner for a 1-5 to 1-3 lead at the break.
Scorers for Dr Crokes: T Brosnan (1-6, 3fs, 1-0 pen), M Burns (0-3, 1f), E Looney (0-2), B Looney, C Keating and D Shaw (0-1 each).
Scorers for Kenmare Shamrocks: S O’Shea (2-3, 2fs), S O’Brien, P O’Connor, D O’Connor and C O’Sullivan and K O’Sullivan (0-1 each)
KENMARE SHAMROCKS: K Fitzgibbon; D Crowley, Tommy O’ Sullivan, D O’ Connor; D O’ Shea, J McCarthy, T Cronin; K O’ Sullivan, D Hallissey; D Ciuciu, S O’ Shea, Z O’Shea; S O’ Brien, Tommy O’ Sullivan (Atlantic), P O’Connor.
Subs: J Lehane for T A O’Sullivan (40), C O’Sullivan for Z O’Shea (46), S O’Sullivan for D Hallissey (53), J O’Sullivan for P O’Connor (53)
DR CROKES: S Murphy; J Payne, F Fitzgerald, B Looney; C Keating, G White, E Looney; M O’ Shea, M Potts; M Burns, G O’ Shea, T Doyle; T Brosnan, D Shaw, C McMahon.
Subs: D Casey for T Doyle (47), M Cooper for C Keating (54), D Naughton for J Payne (59), H Potts for M Potts (59), A Hennigan for C McMahon (63).
Referee: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahilly’s)
