Munster Club Semi-Final
Dr Crokes v St Finbarr’s
Today at 1.30pm
(Lewis Road)

Dr Crokes are just 60 minutes away from their third Munster final in as many years after last weekend’s comprehensive victory over Moyle Rovers in Tipperary. Free-scoring forwards Kieran O’Leary (2-2) and Tony Brosnan (0-7) were once again to the fore for the Black and Amber as they coasted to a 3-15 to 0-8 win.

The Kerry champions are heavy favourites to prevail at home to St Finbarr’s on Sunday but influential midfielder Daithí Casey says his side are taking nothing for granted.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” he said. “They obviously have some star players like Ian McGuire, Michael Shields and Stephen Sherlock, and they brought Nemo to a replay last year (Nemo subsequently defeated Crokes in the Munster final). So we certainly have big respect for them.

“I actually don’t think being at home will be a huge advantage to us because we don’t play many championship games in Lewis Road; it’s usually Fitzgerald Stadium or Austin Stack Park. It’s going to be a very tough game and we’ll have to be at our best – even better than we’ve played in the last few weeks – to beat them.”

Crokes didn’t get much respite between their county final heroics and last weekend’s Munster quarter-final but Casey said it was just a matter of focussing on the task at hand.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our celebrations on Sunday and Monday and got back to the training on Wednesday. We trained a bit on Friday then and it was more about getting the heads right for the trip away than anything.

“The biggest thing at this time of year is that you don’t know what to expect. You’re going away to different pitches, the weather can have an effect… We’ve been lucky enough over the last few years to have been playing in November so that experience should definitely count for something.”

Intermediate champions Kilcummin are also on the cusp of a Munster final after their hard-fought win against Kilrush in Clare. Late points from Chris O’Leary, Philip Casey (2) and Noel Duggan secured a 0-10 to 0-7 victory for the Kerrymen, who will now host Kilmacthomas from Waterford in the last four. That game will also take place on Sunday at 1.30pm.

Pic: Eamonn Keogh.