Senior honours for Crokes; Club Football Championship review

The Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Final has been won by Dr. Crokes.

Dingle v Dr.Crokes in the Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee, Co.Kerry. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry SportThey defeated Dingle in the decider at Austin Stack Park by 1-15 to 11 points.

The opening goal of the encounter came in the 5th minute, Cian McMahon netting for Crokes at the second time of asking after his initial effort was saved.

Dingle v Dr.Crokes in the Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee, Co.Kerry. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

That made it 1-1 to 1 point, with Crokes looking to make a telling wind count. 2 Tony Brosnan points extended the Crokes lead to 1-3 to that single Dingle score.

Dingle v Dr.Crokes in the Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee, Co.Kerry. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

By the 17 minute mark the gap was 3 at 1-4 to 0-4 as Dingle took over at midfield. However, Crokes got on top once again, reeling off 3 points in a row.

Dingle v Dr.Crokes in the Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee, Co.Kerry. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Crokes proceeded to spurn 2 subsequent goal chances, one being cleared off the line and the other hitting the crossbar. Crokes were ahead by double scores at the break; 1-7 to 5 points.

Crokes, playing into the wind, had three of the opening four points of the second period to extend their advantage to 1-10 to 6 points. At the 3/4 stage Crokes were ahead by 1-10 to 0-7.

Dingle v Dr.Crokes in the Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee, Co.Kerry. Photo: David Corkey/Radio Kerry Sport

Dingle couldn't get close enough on the scoreboard, trailing by 5 with 6 minutes to go at 1-12 to 10 points. Crokes were full value for their victory.

Crokes forward Tony Brosnan

Crokes selector Denis Coleman

In today's Club Football Championships Quarter-Finals

Junior Premier:

1-19 Ballymacelligott v Annascaul 1-12

1-14 Ardfert v Castlegregory 0-13
Halfway through the first half, Annascaul had all the momentum, scoring three points on the trot, reducing Ballymac's lead. They were bearing down on goal when Christy Leen made a crucial point-blank save that gave Ballymac the initiative. Had Annascaul scored that goal, it could have changed the course of the game. This save by Leen was a game-changer, preventing Annascaul from taking the lead and potentially altering the game's dynamics.

Annascaul's Jason Hickson opened the scoring with a point from a free. Vinnie Horan opened the home side scoring, and following a turnover from Josh O'Keeffe, Donal Daly scored Ballymac's second point. Annascaul added two points from Jason Hickson (F) and Killian Falvey. In the 7th minute, Niall Collins got a great pass from Vinnie Horan and hit the back of the net. Then, Niall Collins dispossessed Annascaul and passed the ball to Daire Keane, who scored a point, followed by another from Ballymac's Micheál Reidy. The score was 1-04 to 0-3 to Ballymac.
Undeterred, the men from the West launched a spirited attack, scoring three points in quick succession. However, Christy Leen's heroic save on goal, which would have put Annascaul in the lead, was a testament to Ballymac's resilience. Aidan Breen's successful free point further solidified their lead, with the score standing at Ballymac 1-05 Annascaul 0-6. This sequence of events underscored the unwavering teamwork and camaraderie within the Ballymac team, inspiring their ability to win and turn the game in their favour.

Josh O'Keeffe turned over a ball in front of the Ballymac Goal, and Vinnie had a great goal chance that was saved by Tommy Pierce in the Annascaul goal and resulted in a 45. Annascaul added a point and had a ball cleared off the Ballymac full forward line by two great blocks, first from Daragh Sweeney and then by Josh O'Keeffe. Micheál Reidy scored a point as a result. Both sides pointed for frees from Aidan Breen and Jason Hickson before the halftime whistle blew. The Half Time score: Ballymacelligott 1-05 Annascaul 0-06.

Six minutes into the second half, Ballymac had notched up five more points from Aidan Breen(F), Vinnie Horan, Donal Daly, Niall Collins and Daire Keane. Annascaul was trailing by 7 points. David Smith scored the first point of the half for the lads from the West, and Donal Daly scored a point for Ballymac. Tommy Pierce, in goal for Annascaul, made a massive save that rebounded, and the ball was cleared. This save gave Annascaul a second wind, and Jason Hickson scored a point from a free. Shortly afterwards, they hit the back of the Ballymac net. With a quarter of an hour to go to full-time, there were three points between the teams. It was a display of sheer teamwork as Ballymac went on the offensive and scored two points from frees from Vinnie Horan and Aidan Breen. Annascaul added one of their own from a free. Micheál Reidy and Vinnie Horan added two from the play. Annascaul scored their last game point before Dara Regan and Aidan Breen scored one each for Ballymac. The final whistle blew. It was a hard-won game for Ballymac to secure a place in the semi-final. Annascaul proved to be a formidable opponent and never gave up. The match concluded with Ballymacelligott 1-19 Annascaul 1-12, securing Ballymac's place in the semi-final.
Ballymacelligott Team & Scorers.

Christy Leen, Josh O’Keeffe, Daniel O’Shea,Eoin Creedon, Michéal Reidy (0-3), Tadhg Brick, Daragh Sweeney, Aidan Breen (0-5F), Adam Sheehy, Niall Collins (1-1), Vinnie Horan, Captain (0-4- 1F), James Kenny, Donal Daly (0-3), Brian Lonergan, Daire Keane (0-2),
Ballymacelligott Substitutes Introduced: Sean Rice, Michael Herlihy, Cian Counihan, Daragh Regan (0-1).
Manager: Ian Blake
Selectors: Tony Silles, Gene O'Keeffe, Mike Broderick & Padráig Laide.
Physical Trainer: Anthony O'Leary. Physio: Mark Thompson

Junior
1-7 Skellig Rangers v Tarbert 2-8
0-20 Knocknagoshel v St. Michael’s/Foilmore 1-15

Semi-finals draws:
Junior Premier
Ballymac V Firies
St. Senan’s V Ardfert

Junior:
Cordal V Tarbert
Knock V Duagh