Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Dr Crokes GAA Club News
Compiled by Aoife Cronin
THE County Senior League Round 7 clash finished on a scoreline of Legion 0-15 Dr Crokes 1-8.
Legion started the better with two early points but we got into the game after our lethargic start and scored 1-2 to Legion’s one point for a 1-2 to 0-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was completely dominated by Legion who had seven points to our one to give them a four-point interval lead, 0-10 to 1-3.
We played with much more heart and tenacity in the second half. It was a game we were never likely to win but our display was more championship like and in this 30 minutes both sides scored five points.
This may have left us beaten by four points at the end but one would have to be happy with our second half display.
Our best players on the day were Mike Moloney, Cilian Fitzgerald, Aaron Murphy, Shane Myers, Ambrose O’Donovan and Jordan Kiely.
The best Dr Crokes player was Ambrose O’Donovan.
The game was played in Dirreen on a lovely summer’s Sunday.
Team and scorers: Alan Kelly, David O’Leary, Mike Moloney, Cilian Fitzgerald (0-1), Aaron Murphy, Eoin Brosnan, Alan O’Sullivan (0-1), Cilian O’Regan (0-1), Mike Milner (0-1), Ambrose O’Donovan (0-1), Andrew Kennelly (1-0), Shane Doolan, Shane Myers, Chris Brady (0-2; 0-1 free), Jordan Kiely (0-1). Sub: John Payne
Féile: Our Under 14 boys, for the first time in almost 10 years, won the Division 1 Kerry Féile competition this year. A recent decision at national level dictates that the Division 1 winners in the so-called stronger football counties cannot attend the national Féile competition, so Kerry now sends its Division 2 winners. As a result, we represented Kerry in the national regional tournament in Kildare on Saturday last where we competed against the best Under 14s from Dublin, Cork, Tyrone, Kildare, Derry, Down and Galway.
Our aim from the start was for the boys to have a day to remember and I think it’s safe to say that we achieved our goal. To their credit, they fundraised for the trip and their efforts, along with everybody’s generous contributions, ensured that they were kitted out with some fabulous gear and all their expenses were covered.
Our day began with a 6.30am departure for Kildare on Saturday last. Their group games pitted them against two very strong outfits from Dublin and Tyrone. The boys struggled to get their best game on show here.
The afternoon session gave them a great opportunity to get something out of the day and they grabbed it with both hands. They had a great win against Nemo Rangers in the semi-final and raised their game to another level against Leixlip in the Plate Final.
Our club is delighted to have had such great ambassadors for the club on the playing field last Saturday.
A huge word of thanks to Harry O’Neill, Kevin Smith, Ger O’Connor and Ger O”Shea who did a great job preparing the boys. Many thanks to the parents who coordinated the fundraising and who also turned out in great numbers to support the boys on Saturday.
The bus rolled into Killarney at 10.00p.m. on Saturday night and a great day was had by all.
Minors: In the first round East Kerry Minor League game in Spa we went down to Spa by five points, 3-13 to 2-11.
The game was played in very bad weather conditions. Spa started the better and we were always chasing the game in the first half and went in at half time seven points in arrears, on a scoreline of 2-1 to 1-3.
We did much better in the second half. In the first 20 minutes of this half we restricted the opposition to just two points and got within a couple of points of them. However, they scored 1-4 in the last 10 minutes for their five point win.
Best in defence were James McAuliffe, David Naughton and Mark O’Shea. We did very well at midfield in the second half. Our attack spring to life in the second half with Adam O’ hea finishing with a personal tally of 2-5 and Brendan Coppinger also shining.
Dr Crokes: Tony Clifford, Brian Fitzgerald, David Naughton, Shane O’Connor, James McAuliffe, Michael Potts, Jack Griffin, Mark O’Shea, Paul Clarke, John Kerrisk, Brendan Coppinger, Creagh Courtney, Mike Casey, Michael Owen Buckley, Adam O’Shea
Subs: Donal O’Sullivan and Jack O’Connor.
League: The minors were at home to Firies in the second round of the East Kerry League on Thursday last and had to pull out all stops for a one-point win, 1-12 to 1-11.
The teams exchanged points on three occasions in the first 20 minutes. Firies got on top in the last 10 minutes of the half, scoring four points to our one but a great goal by Mike Casey just before the break had us on level terms at half time, 1-4 to 0-7.
The teams exchanged points on two occasions in the first 10 minutes of the second half. We got on top at this stage and three points without reply gave us the lead going into the last quarter.
We held onto this three-point advantage going into the last five minutes but Firies struck for a very good goal with four minutes to go to leave the teams level once again.
A draw looked likely as we approached final whistle but Brendan Coppinger gave us victory with a good point and our first win after two games in this competition.
David Naughton, Creagh Courtney and John Kerrisk were best in defence. Paul Clarke and Michael Potts did very well at midfield, with the former giving a great aerial performance. Best in attack were Mike Casey, Adam O Shea and Brendan Coppinger.
The best player for Dr Crokes was Mike Casey.
Team and scorers: Tony Clifford, James McAuliffe, David Naughton, Brian Fitzgerald, Mark O’Shea, John Kerrisk, Creagh Courtney (0-2), Paul Clarke, Michael Potts (0-1), Donal O’Sullivan (0-1), Mike Casey (1-2), Brendan Coppinger (0-1), Mark Hartnett (0-1), Adam O’Shea (0-4; 0-1 free, 0-1 45)), Michael Owen Buckley.
Subs: Oisín Shannon, Niall Fleming.
Girls: Our under 16 girls turned in a fantastic team performance to beat John Mitchels 5-13 to 1-3 in Tralee on Thursday in the county league.
The defence was outstanding in closing down in any attacks the Tralee side could throw at us.
The tackling by the girls was very evident of the work that has been done in the training sessions lately. Midfield and all our forwards were also outstanding. They created so many chances but they also worked so hard in closing down their defence.
Well done to all players on the on a brilliant performance. Next week we have a break, but on Thursday, July 9t we have Glenflesk away.
Hurlers: Last Wednesday evening our senior hurlers travelled to Kilmoyley to take on the locals in a County League Division 2 fixture.
We were outplayed by a really good and experienced Kilmoyley outfit and in the end we were at the receiving end of a pretty comprehensive defeat that puts our hopes of reaching the play-off stages in great danger.
Nonetheless, we soldier on and the focus now will be the County Intermediate Championship.
Dr Crokes: Jamie Lenihan, Dan Guerin, Kevin Landers, Shane Kavanagh. Rory Waters, Brendan McMahon, John Ivory, Cian O’Brien, Shane Lyne, Mike McCarthy, Seanie Burchill, Lorcan Howe, Mike O’Keeffe, Brendan O’Donovan, Ciaran O’Donnell, Paul Clarke, Jason Lyne.
Juniors: The Junior Ladies Championship tie finished on a scoreline of Dr Crokes 5-8 Kilcummin 1-8.
This eagerly awaited championship between two local teams was played on a beautiful evening at Lewis Road.
Amanda Brosnan got Crokes off the mark with a goal from a penalty. Rehanne O’Shea got second goal from a great move. Kilcummin were piling on the pressure only for goalkeeper Mags McCormack bringing off some outstanding saves to keep Crokes ahead by a point at half time, 2-2 to 1-4.
The second half began with Crokes getting control of the game with two quick goals within the first seven minutes. They also tightened up the defence, giving away only four points in this half. Midfield were on top and this gave us further goals from Amanda Brosnan, Siobhan Burns and Kate Stack plus six points from play and frees put Crokes in a very commanding lead.
Next is the semi-final v Austin Stacks on July 18/19.
Lotto: The Lotto numbers drawn were 4, 8, 9 and 11 and the jackpot of €8,700 not won. The next draw is on Monday in the Tatler Jack with a jackpot of €9.000.
Baby: Congratulations to senior hurling selector, Sean Browne, and his wife, Nicola, on the recent birth of their baby boy, Michael.
Wishes: Best wishes to all the Crokes lads playing with Kerry at the weekend in Munster Football Final in Killarney.
Sympathy: Deepest sympathies to the Falvey family on the death of Seamus Falvey who died at the weekend.
