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Dr Crokes bid for All Ireland club final spot

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THE AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final between Corofin and Dr Crokes has been fixed for 4pm in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick tomorrow.

Corofin have won six Connacht titles, just one less than Roscommon’s Clanna Gael. Crokes have been the dominant team in Munster in the past two decades but Crossmaglen have sidelined their bid for All Ireland glory to add to their only All Ireland win in 1992. Now that that northern team is out of the reckoning Crokes will be very keen to win tomorrow to set up a final in Croke Park on St Patrick’s day. Under the guidance of the highly motivated Pat O Shea, Crokes have been impressive both in Kerry and in Munster.

DÁITHÍ CASEY
They blitzed The Nire in the Munster final. The game was over effectively by half time. Dáithí Casey, winner of the Munster Provincial club player of the year 2016, broke their hearts in the first half when he helped himself to a hat trick of goals. He is equally at home in most central positions at numbers 8, 11 and 14. Strong and speedy he is very good on the ball. He will probably be picked up by one of the Burkes or Ciarán McGrath. The Crokes have a lethal full forward line so the idea is to get the ball in fast to Colm Cooper, Kieran O'Leary and possibly Tony Brosnan. This is where the real scoring opportunities will emerge.

EOIN BROSNAN INJURED
Eoin Brosnan is a very doubtful starter and he would be a big loss to Crokes, if he has not recovered. Highly motivated and experienced he can play with equal effect anywhere in defence and also at midfield. Remember also that he starred as a goal getter at number 11 for Kerry. Crokes have a strong bench with plenty of options and the team management have had two weeks to prepare knowing that Brosnan will probably be unable to start.

Crokes are strong at midfield where Johnny Buckley will team up with the experienced Ambrose o Donavan. They have options of course where Buckley can move to wing forward and Casey can man the centre. The Croke defence is often maligned but they have done very well except for the Rathmore game. They will look to the experienced John Payne, Fionn Fitzgerald and Gavin White the real emerging star at wingback. Kerry under-21 star Mícheál Burns is certain to see action at some stage. He has a great engine and does very well when he enters the fray.

AWARD WINNERS
Corofin’s Ian Burke has won the AIB GAA Connacht Club Footballer of the Year 2016 for his performances with Corofin in the 2016 provincial club season. The national and regional sports media voted for the awards. The presentation of the award took place in Croke Park recently. He is a key man for Corofin tomorrow.

The Galway Sports Stars banquet took place in the Galway Bay Hotel recently where the Gaelic football award went to Corofin’s defensive dynamo Ciarán McGrath, while Ciarán's clubmate, Dáithí Burke, was honoured with a Special Achievement award.
 


 
Dr Crokes' Daithí Casey is pictured ahead of their clash in the AIB GAA Senior Football Club Championship Semi Final against Corofin on February 11.
PICTURE: RAMSEY CARDY/SPORTSFILE

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New, smash-hit comedy play by Killarney Theatre Company

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A new comedy play by Glengariff playwright Ray O’Sullivan will come to Killarney next month as part of a regional tour.

Robbed! will be staged at the Gleneagle Club on Saturday, February 7, at 8.30pm, presented by the Killarney Theatre Company.

The production is the group’s fifth in a popular series of homegrown plays and follows the success of The Rise and Rise of the Healy-Raes, A Papal Blessing, Weight Watching and Stones.

The play centres on a failed GAA player who finds himself caught in a series of misunderstandings involving relationships, bingo balls and a robbery that quickly spirals out of control.

As events unfold, nothing goes to plan and the situation descends into chaos.

Rehearsals have been ongoing since October and the cast includes Ray O’Sullivan himself alongside Rosie Healy and DB O’Connor. Robbed! is O’Sullivan’s fifth full-length play and is expected to attract strong audiences across the tour.

Tickets cost €15 and are available from Ray O’Sullivan on 087 2279657 or from the Gleneagle on 064 667155.


The tour begins in Scartaglen Hertiage Centre on January 17, The Ivy Leaf Theatre Castleisland, on January 29, The Glen Theatre Banteer on January 31, Foilmore Community Centre Sunday February 1, Killorglin CYMS, February 5, Abbeydorney Community Centre February 12 and Bantry Westlodge Hotel February 21.

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Kerry FC take unusual step with Killarney friendly

By Luke Managan Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised […]

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By Luke Managan

Kerry FC took the unusual step of playing a pre-season friendly in Killarney during the week as they faced local club Killarney Celtic in a match organised to raise funds for Palliative Care.

It marked a rare appearance in the town for the county’s League of Ireland side and drew strong local interest.
Kerry started brightly and were ahead within the opening minutes, setting the tone for an open and competitive contest. Their early pressure was rewarded again in the 21st minute when Ballyduff native Sean McGrath doubled the lead. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances and enjoying spells of possession.
Luke Doolan was central to Kerry’s play throughout the first half, linking defence and attack and providing energy in midfield. Kerry continued to threaten down both flanks, while Killarney Celtic responded with a series of corners and set pieces, delivered with pace into the penalty area.
Celtic reduced the deficit in the 25th minute with a well-taken free kick from just outside the box, bringing the score back to 2–1 and lifting the home support. Kerry responded in the 36th minute with a powerful strike to restore their two-goal advantage, but Celtic continued to press and were rewarded again shortly after. Debutant goalkeeper Harry Halwax produced an excellent save, with the ball coming back off the crossbar, but the rebound was turned in to make it 3–2.
Kerry looked unsettled for a brief spell as Celtic pushed forward, but just before half-time Doolan struck again with a composed finish to give Kerry a 4–2 lead at the break.
The second half saw Kerry take greater control of the game, keeping possession well and limiting Celtic to crosses from wide areas. While the home side increased their physical approach, the match remained free of disciplinary issues. Kerry made several changes in the 78th minute, including the introduction of Daniel Okwute, who impressed last season.
Halwax was forced off through injury and replaced by Killorglin native Darragh Foley, who settled quickly. Kerry added a fifth goal late on to seal a 5–2 win, though Killarney Celtic continued to compete until the final whistle.
After the match, both Okwute and Foley spoke positively about the season ahead, expressing confidence in the squad and belief that Kerry FC can challenge any opponent.

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