Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Dr Crokes News
Compiled by Aoife Cronin
DR Crokes had a comprehensive 2-22 to 1-7 win against Castleisland Desmonds in round 9 of the County League and we were six points ahead at the end of the first quarter.
We kept on the front foot for the remainder of the half and a goal in the 21st minute virtually put us into an unassailable lead. We continued to add on scores and went in at half time with a commanding lead.
Our opponents were much more competitive in the second half and held their own, score wise, in this 30-minute period. We did, however, run out easy winners at the end.
Desmonds were missing some key players and that made our task that much easier.
A positive from the game was that 12 of our players got on the scoresheet. Our top scorers were Kieran O’Leary with 0-5 and Bryan O’Shea with 0-4, all from play.
Team: Shane Murphy, John Payne, Mike Moloney, Luke Quinn, Alan O’Sullivan, Gavin White, David O’Leary, Eoin Brosnan, Daithi Casey, Shane Doolan, Gavin O’Shea, Bryan O’Shea, Tony Brosnan, Kieran O’Leary, Chris Brady.
Subs: Jason Lyne, Paul Clarke, Johnny O’Leary, Cillian Fitzgerald, PJ Lawlor.
Intermediate: Dr Crokes met Kilmoyley in Caherslee, Tralee in the semi-final of the Intermediate Hurling Championship and it was a game we should have won in normal time but a controversial 65 awarded to the opposition, with less than five minutes to go in normal time, meant extra-time was required and that finished 2-15 to 0-13 in Kilmoyley’s favour.
We started the game well, opening scoring and pushing to a 0-2 to 0-0 lead within the first five minutes. Both enjoyed purple patches during the course of the half. At the interval, Dr Crokes were in the lead on 0-9 to 0-8. Points were constantly exchanged in the second half, with the sides levelling on five occasions. A high ball was dropped into the Dr Crokes square late in the half which was deflected and appeared to be wide. While the umpire confirmed this, the referee overruled and awarded a 65 which was converted. Seanie Morris leveled matters before the final whistle to push the game into extra time at 0-13 each.
This was the point on which the game turned. Kilmoyley attacked from the throw-in, heading straight for goal and scoring within the opening seconds. The pace of the game had caught up with Crokes and a similar Kilmoyley effort at the start of the second half put them eight points up with less than 10 minutes left. We performed well in this game but eventually rued missed chances including scorable frees.
It was a great team effort with some inspirational points from captain Brendan McMahon from a long range free and Rory Waters, travelling from half back to score from play. Anthony Keogh had a tremendous game at corner-back, getting in some vital interceptions and relieving pressure on numerous occasions. Mike Milner was well marshalled in midfield but but put in a huge performance often delivering to Seanie Morris who was a constant threat in the full-forward line.
Team: Jamie Lenihan, Anthony Keogh, Kevin Landers, Shane Kavanagh, Rory Waters, Brendan McMahon, Barry O’Grady, Jack Lenihan, Mike Milner, Chris Doncel, Mike McCarthy, Cian O’Brien, Seanie Morris, Shane Spellman, Seanie Burchill.
Subs: John Ivory, Conor Fitzgerald, Dan Guerin, Kevin Smith.
Finally, best wishes on a speedy recovery to the Kilmoyley player who sustained the injury in the first half.
Lotto: The lotto numbers drawn were 1, 11, 12 and 16. The jackpot of €6,300 was not won and five match three players received €80 each. The next draw is on Monday, August 1 in the Tatler Jack for a jackpot of €6,600.
