Free-flowing Dr Crokes into final four as Kerry SFC semi-final draw confirmed
Dr Moran/sportsfile Brendan Crokes' Tony Pic: Brosnan
FOR Dr. Crokes, this had a bit of everything. For much of the Kerry SFC quarter-final tie at Fitzgerald Stadium they were comfortable. The only concern is the presence of wastefulness that a stronger opponent would have undeniably capitalised on.
The Killarney side had nine different scorers and led by ten entering the final quarter. They also failed to convert several more goal chances and were outscored 1-5 to 0-3 down the stretch. In spells it was sensational. At other times it was outright sloppy. Something to work on ahead of a semi-final clash with St Brendan’s Board next weekend.
Their sharpshooting trio of Tony Brosnan, David Shaw and Micheál Burns combined for 1-9 between them but mustered another nine missed efforts. It should be said there was plenty of mitigation; conditions were difficult and the challenge was severely weakened with a handful of guaranteed starters sidelined. Brian Friel, Mark Ryan and Andrew Moynihan were all missing for Rathmore and it meant the outcome become predictable long before the final whistle. Even still, a spot in the decider will require more ruthlessness.
Rathmore started with Paul Murphy at centre-forward, detailed to track the imposing drives forward by Gavin White. Dr. Crokes’ ability to mix it both ways was central to their 1-8 to 1-2 half-time advantage.
Charlie Keating instigated the charge from the throw-in, laying off for a sweet Gavin O’Shea score. Rathmore hit the front after 15 minutes as Murphy followed up a well-taken point by claiming a kickout and sending Darragh Rahilly away. He rifled a shot at goal and Shane Murphy expertly parried it away, only for Ciaran Collins to tap in the rebound.
Another terrific Murphy save ten minutes later denied Padraig Moynihan but at that stage it was level, Brosnan and Burns producing the required.
From there, Pat O’Shea’s outfit found their groove. Burns was centrally involved in Shaw’s second point with two defence splitting kick-passes proving unstoppable. Brosnan followed suit with another long delivery and he converted the resulting penalty after Cian Dineen was adjudged to have felled David Shaw.
Rathmore struggled to deliver steady supply to Shane Ryan with Fionn Fitzgerald intercepting several poor attempts throughout. Ryan struck his first in the opening minutes and added two more in the final quarter, one from a free after a short kickout went wrong. Mark Cooper was forced to concede a black card in the ensuing scramble.
The second half unfolded in the same fashion as the first. White burst forward and fed Cian McMahon for a point from the throw-in. Maidhcí Lynch subsequently did similar for Brosnan on the loop. Evan Looney was immense in this regard, surging up the field throughout and finishing with two points.
Dr. Crokes emptied the bench with Alex Hennigan and Kieran O’Leary combining for three points. Darragh Nagle made an even greater impact with a goal and a point for David McCarthy’s side. The luckless Murphy produced another fine stop from Ciaran Collins only for the Rathmore substitute to dash in and punch a goal.
Rathmore, having gone almost twenty minutes with a score and finishing with 50% conversion, continued to fight without ever threatening to produce a dramatic comeback. In the other semi-final, Dingle were drawn against defending champions East Kerry.
T. Brosnan (1-5, 1-0 pen, 2 frees); D. Shaw, E. Looney, M. Burns, A. Hennigan (0-2); C. McMahon, B. Looney, G. O’Shea, K. O’Leary (0-1 each).
C. Collins (1-1); D. Nagle (1-1); S. Ryan (0-3, 1 free); C. Ryan (0-2), P. Murphy, P. Moynihan (0-1 each).
: S. Murphy; E. Looney, F. Fitzgerald, M. Lynch; J. Payne, G. White, B. Looney; C. Keating, M. O’Shea; M. Burns, G. O’Shea, T. Doyle; T. Brosnan, D. Shaw, C. McMahon.
: M. Cooper for Fitzgerald (40); K. O’Leary for Doyle (44); D. Casey for McMahon (49); D. Naughton for Payne (53); A. Hennigan for Shaw (60).
: W. Casey; C. Dineen, D. Murphy, T. Holohan; A. Dineen, F. Murphy, F. Holohan; D. Rahilly, C. Ryan; P. Moynihan, P. Murphy, C. Collins; J. Darmody, S. Ryan, J. Moynihan.
: C. O’Connor for Holohan (half-time); D. Nagle for J. Moynihan (52); T. O’Doherty for Dineen (54).
: P. O’Sullivan (Firies).