A much more polished second half display enabled holders Dr Crokes to get off to a winning start in this Killarney derby, their opening Kerry senior football club championship (Group 3) encounter against hosts Spa GAA.
Despite a sloppy and error-strewn first half, the Dr Crokes team managed a narrow one-point lead at the break (1-6 to 0-8). Upon resumption, they showed marked improvement even playing against the wind.
Goals in each half proved decisive. Both were orchestrated by Tony Brosnan, who scored 0-8 overall. The first goal arrived early in the fifth minute, with Mark O’Shea also involved. Brosnan set up Gavin O’Shea for the excellent finish in the top corner.
Spa displayed periods of dominance in the first half against their less sharp visitors. Dr Crokes were without the injured Charlie Keating, but otherwise fielded their six Kerry squad members, just 12 days after their All-Ireland final victory over Donegal.
Spa’s centre-back Dan O’Donoghue was impressive, while Dara Moynihan played for 47 minutes, scoring two well-taken points. Combined with Evan Cronin’s effectiveness in attack, they built a four-point advantage (0-7 to 1-0) before Brosnan helped Dr Crokes gain a slender lead before half-time.
On the restart, Dr Crokes showed greater composure in possession. Playing against the wind, they demonstrated their characteristic patience. David Shaw contributed three well-taken points from play, while Gavin White’s powerful runs from centre-back were frequent and impactful.
The second Dr Crokes goal came in the 48th minute when they led by only two points, 1-9 to 0-10. Brian Looney found Brosnan in space, and Brosnan selflessly passed to Cian McMahon who palmed the ball into the net at the back post.
Spa continued to battle, with Niall McCarthy and Gary Vaughan working hard throughout, but Dr Crokes ended the game strongly, with Micheál Burns and White also adding to the scoresheet.
A first-half injury to defender Maidhcí Lynch was a setback for Dr Crokes.
T Brosnan (0-8, 1tpf, 3fs), G O’Shea, C McMahon (1-0 each), D Shaw (0-3), B Looney, M Burns, G White (0-1 each).
C Tobin (0-4, 4fs), E Cronin (0-3), D Moynihan (0-2), D Spillane, M Foley, N McCarthy, A Cronin (0-1 each).
S Murphy; M Potts, F Fitzgerald, N O’Shea; M Lynch, G White, E Looney; M O’Shea, D Shaw; M Burns, G O’Shea, B Looney; T Brosnan, T Doyle, C McMahon.
C Fitzgerald for Lynch, inj (14), A Hennigan for Doyle (45), J O’Sullivan for McMahon (53), M Cooper for G O’Shea (60), B Courtney for B Looney (60+3).
S O’Meara; E O’Donoghue, E Cronin, D Brosnan; G Vaughan, D O’Donoghue, C Stack; C Spillane, N McCarthy; D Moynihan, E Cronin, M Foley; C Tobin, D Spillane, J McCarthy.
L Spillane for C Spillane (45), M Moynihan for Moynihan (47), A Cronin for J McCarthy (53), R O’Neill for Stack (57), M Horgan for D Spillane (60+3).
S Joy (Laune Rangers).
