He has been one of the most consistent and free-scoring forwards in the game for many years and now Dr Crokes sharpshooter Kieran O’Leary has set a record that might never be broken.
Sunday’s East Kerry Senior Football Champion final victory over arch rivals Killarney Legion saw Kieran winning an unprecedented 13 O’Donoghue Cup medals and he contributed a delightful point to the cause in a real battle at Fitzgerald Stadium.
In doing so, former Kerry star Kieran (36) became the first player in the black and amber to collect 13 sought-after medals, surpassing both Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan whose dozen wins he matched last year.
Crokes legends Jackie Looney and Con Clifford held the top medal honour for years with 10 medals each and another notable achievement in the club was when Connie Murphy matched the seven medals haul of his dad Liam.
Kieran – who won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry in 2014 – helped Crokes to their 33rd East Kerry senior title yesterday when they staged a comeback to pip Legion on a 0-12 to 1-8 scoreline.
Legion, aided with a strong wind, started the local derby decider much stronger and a Finbarr Murphy goal, coupled with points from Ryan O’Grady and Murphy again, gave them the edge.
But David Shaw, Cian McMahon and Micheál Burns kept Crokes in touch with Legion 1-5 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
Two of six Tony Brosnan points opened up the scoring the second half and Mark O’Shea was also on target and although O’Grady and Eoghan O’Sullivan found the range for Legion, Brosnan’s accuracy won the day – and the cup – for Crokes.
Happy Christmas from KillaneyToday.com Call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
