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The County Final: Six things to watch out for
1. Selection headaches for O’Shea
Although the majority of the Crokes starters are set in stone, there are definitely a few places up for grabs in Pat O’Shea’s County Final line-up.
In both the quarter final and semi-final, the Crokes failed to line out as selected so realistically we won’t know the actual team until they take to the field this afternoon.
Chris Brady was listed at full forward but didn’t feature in either of the last two games, while Kieran O’Leary was a late withdrawal from the West Kerry match due to injury. Shane Doolan was also left out despite being named at halfback as Luke Quinn, Michael Moloney and Tony Brosnan all played from the start. Jordan Kiely came off the bench and tucked away two tidy goals so he’s sure to be in the mix as well.
All of these lads will be hoping that they’ve done enough over the past couple of weeks to earn a place in the starting fifteen. In truth, the Crokes have so much strength in depth at the moment they could choose any combination of the aforementioned players and still have too much for most teams in the county.
2. Gooch is still the top dog
With all the controversy surrounding his testimonial, Colm Cooper’s expertly-taken goal in the semi-final was a timely reminder of his unique talent and what a great ambassador he has been for the GAA over the past 15 years or so.
And it wasn’t just a nostalgia-inducing cameo either. Gooch is Crokes’ top scorer in this year’s Championship with 4-14 in four games. Around half of those points have come from frees but even if you only count scores from play, the Kerry legend has still outgunned the rest of his teammates:
Colm Cooper: 4-14 (3-5 from play)
Daithí Casey: 3-8 (2-5 from play)
Kieran O’Leary: 3-4 (all from play)
He was named Man of the Match against West Kerry (which may have been a bit generous to be fair) but the 34-year-old’s influence on this Crokes team can’t be underestimated. Expect him to play a big role again.
3. Murphy’s perfect record
Crokes keeper Shane Murphy has been in imperious form. He was pivotal throughout his debut season in 2016 and remarkably he is yet to concede a goal in this year’s Championship. Of course, a lot of that has been down to the defenders in front of him but Murphy has been consistently excellent when called upon.
His kick-outs against West Kerry were phenomenal, so much so that a few spectators in the crowd were wondering aloud if he should be awarded Man of the Match.
In addition to his shot-stopping and distribution, Murphy is one of only three Crokes players (along with Cooper and Casey) to have scored in all four Championship games to date. He has kicked a 45 in each outing.
4. Can Bryan Sheehan drag his team over the line yet again?
Not for the first time in his long and storied career, the St Mary’s talisman was hugely instrumental in South Kerry’s narrow victory over Rahilly’s in the semi-final two weeks ago. He kicked three crucial points from play and would have had a goal but for an incredible goal-line block by Danny O’Sullivan in the 45th minute.
He might not be as deadly a free-taker as he once was but he still has the character and skill to carry his team through the toughest of battles. Sheehan will need to be at his inspirational best if South Kerry are to pull off a shock upset.
5. History favours South Kerry
Recent form points to only one winner but a quick glance at the history books reveals one worrying statistic for the Crokes. The men from Lewis Road have only lost three of the nine finals they’ve reached since the year 2000, and all three defeats came at the hands of South Kerry.
Eleven of the current panel were involved in the most recent of those finals back in 2009. That particular loss was somewhat of a watershed moment as that group of players went on to win four in a row but there are certainly still a few ghosts to be laid to rest from a Crokes point of view.
Victory for Crokes would bring them level with Austin Stacks and Laune Rangers as the most successful teams in the history of the County Championship (twelve titles).
6. What do the bookies think?
South Kerry lifted the Bishop Moynihan Cup as recently as 2015 and have been far and away the second most successful team in Kerry over the past twenty years or so, yet Crokes are still overwhelming favourites to prevail.
Their price of 1/5 might seem a bit crazy for a County Final but Crokes have a proven track record of overpowering teams in big games. In fact, I would imagine there will be no shortage of punters backing them in the handicap (-5.0) at 11/10.
As always, I suppose the best tip is to keep your money in your pocket.
Above: Tony Brosnan, Dr Crokes, battles for possession with Cian O'Murchu, West Kerry, in the Kerry Senior County Football championship semi-final. Pic: Eamonn Keogh
A special commemoration took place at Fitzgerald Stadium to mark the 50th anniversary of the sudden passing of former Dr Crokes player, officer, and selector Tim (Timmy) Keogh.
All-Ireland winning Kerry and Dr Crokes manager Pat O’Shea unveiled a memorial plaque in honour of Mr Keogh, who died suddenly at the stadium on 24 May 1976 while watching the East Kerry Under-12 final between Dr Crokes and Legion.
Pat O’Shea, who played in that fixture as a nine-year-old, delivered a moving address reflecting on the tragedy and his memories of Killarney half a century ago. He described Mr Keogh as a dedicated family and community man who led the way for the Dr Crokes club.
O’Shea recalled how the match was halted and the young players were brought into the dressing rooms, leaving an indelible mark on the town. He also paid tribute to Mr Keogh’s late wife, Kathleen, and noted the bittersweet memory of neighbours and Legion icons Weeshie Fogarty and Johnny Culloty rushing to his aid on the sideline.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Eamonn Keogh detailed his father’s extensive contribution to the black and amber. Timmy Keogh served as club treasurer through the 1950s and 1960s alongside Donie Sheahan and Michael O’Connor, and was a selector for the famous Dr Crokes senior team that won seven consecutive O’Donoghue Cups between 1956 and 1962.
Eamonn thanked Fitzgerald Stadium Chairman Der Brosnan and his committee for permission to erect the monument. He welcomed members of the Keogh, Fogarty, Culloty, and Randles families, alongside several players from the 1976 under-12 panel and MC Denis Coleman.
Eamonn paid tribute to Pat O’Shea’s legendary status in the GAA, noting he remains one of only five managers to win both an All-Ireland senior inter-county championship and a senior club title.
Fr Tom Looney spoke of receiving the tragic news via a letter from his mother while serving in Peru 50 years ago, praising Mr Keogh’s legacy with Dr Crokes and local employer Hilliards. Fr Tom performed a blessing alongside Franciscan Friary Guardian Br Pat Lynch and Fr Billy Hoyne.
The commemoration concluded with a musical performance of ‘Buachaill ón Éirne’ and ‘The Parting Glass’ by Timmy’s son, Don Keogh, on concertina, and his cousin, Máire Breathnach, on guitar.
The large attendance included Mayor of Killarney Martin Grady, Kerry GAA Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan, East Kerry Board officials Dermot O’Connor and Noel Kennedy, Dr Crokes President Jackie Looney, Chairman Eoin Brosnan, and Juvenile Chairman David Byrne.
Two young local girls showed great business initiative on Saturday ahead of the Kerry v Donegal match at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Erin McSweeney and Jessie Doolin set up a sweet stall outside a house on Lewis Road, catching the thousands of football fans walking towards the grounds.
The enterprising pair did a busy trade selling soft drinks, sweets, and chocolates to the passing crowds before throw-in.
Their match-day venture also caught the attention of the national sports media, with a photograph of the girls at their stall captured by Sportsfile photographer Stephen McCarthy ahead of the game.
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