Dr Crokes survive serious Rathgormack test in gripping Munster semi-final
Gut Picture: Check: Crokes Fionn P Adam Against Action Michael Murray Fitzgearld Of Rathgormack Dr Ryan/sportsfile Of In
Rathgormack players fell to their knees at the final whistle on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon in Dungarvan as they agonisingly missed out on their first Munster club final appearance.
A big second half save from Shane Murphy and four points apiece from Micheál Burns and Tony Brosnan saw Dr Crokes progress to the provincial showpiece against Loughmore-Castleiney on December 8.
Driven on by James Power and Willie Hahessy, the back to back Waterford champions rattled the eight-time Munster winners in the second half. On 36 minutes, Murphy came to rescue for Crokes as he kept out a close range blast from Peter Walsh. Four minutes into added time, Jason Gleeson dropped in a free. Conor Murray saw his shot blocked. The ball ended in the side netting as Niall Quinn blew for full time.
Five buses carrying Dr Crokes supporters travelled down from Killarney on Sunday morning. Rathgormack captain Willie Hahessy won the toss and elected to play with the stiff breeze towards the road goal. The back to back Waterford champions capitalised straight away as Conor Murray split the posts from 50 metres out.
Tony Brosnan equalised from a close range free. Hahessy then beat Brosnan for a ball and James Power scored from 40 metres. Another Brosnan free levelled it up again. Brian Looney made a brilliant tackle on Adam Murray and Micheál Burns raised a white flag at the opposite end. Burns then added a free.
As the rain teemed down, Jason Curry got a point back for Rathgormack. He should have struck another one after Adam Murray turned over the ball high up the field. A high tackle by James Power was punished with another Brosnan free (0-5 to 0-3).
On 17 minutes, Power slotted his second from 45 metres out. The number ten carried on his fine form from the Waterford championship. He made a mighty fetch from the subsequent kickout. A Charlie Keating turnover led to a third point for Burns. Crokes played keep ball while faced by fourteen green and red shirts. A heavy challenge by Gavin White on Hahessy resulted in a yellow card and a Jason Gleeson conversion. Even though he was man marking Tony Brosnan, Hahessy charged forward at every opportunity. Crokes corner back Maidhci Lynch made it 7-5 at the break to Pat O'Shea's men.
Burns missed a free in front of goal on the restart. At the other end, Stephen Curry had a penalty shout waved away. On 36 minutes, James Power sped past three Crokes defenders and fed Peter Walsh. Shane Murphy beat away his powerful shot. A big moment in this Munster semi-final. Burns clipped his fourth point a minute later.
Rathgormack failed to capitalise on a promising counter attack before Jason Curry dragged a free wide. Adam Murray eventually kicked their first second half score on 45 minutes. Crokes made mistakes in possession and Burns sent another free off target. Veteran forward Kieran O'Leary was introduced.
A Conor Murray point effort clipped the post before O'Leary was fouled off the ball by Sean Hahesy with eight minutes left. Tony Brosnan tapped over the free. Peter Walsh fetched a high ball from Conor Murray and supplied a point for Jason Curry. Rathgormack couldn't find that green flag however and narrowly missed out on their maiden Munster final.
J Curry 0-3 (1f), J Power 0-2, J Gleeson (f), A Murray, C Murray 0-1 each.
M Burns (1f), T Brosnan (4fs) 0-4 each, M Lynch 0-1.
P Hunt; M Power, S Hahesy, W Hahessy; G Power, T Walsh, C Crowch; P Walsh, M Curry; J Curry, J Power, C Murray; J Gleeson, S Curry, A Murray.
B Power for Crowch (HT), F Roche for A Murray (48).
S Murphy; G White, F Fitzgerald, M Lynch; E Looney, M Potts, B Looney; M O'Shea, C Keating; T Doyle, G O'Shea, C McMahon; T Brosnan, M Burns, D Shaw.
J Payne for Potts (42), K O'Leary for McMahon (45), D Naughton for Doyle (54), M Moloney for Lynch (58).
N Quinn (Clare)