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Crokes and Corofin set for dream club final

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2 years ago

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It’s the match-up that all the football purists wanted.

Dr Crokes and Corofin, two of the modern era’s finest proponents of attacking football, will go head-to-head in the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship final on March 17. Forget about defence, this promises to be a straight shoot-out for the biggest prize in club football.

Crokes were comfortable enough against Mullinalaghta, save for a shaky period in the first half when they conceded a second goal and had a man sent off in a matter of minutes.

No one in the entire world – apart from one umpire behind the Crokes goal – seems to have seen the incident that resulted in Johnny Buckley receiving his marching orders in the 18th minute of play. None of TG4’s cameras picked up on the apparent flashpoint, but the referee’s match report later confirmed that Buckley was dismissed for striking his opponent.

My understanding is that Dr Crokes have their own footage and they are adamant that there is no clear evidence of a striking motion. Club officials have described it as a “coming together” and indications are that they will be appealing the decision.

The experienced midfielder will be a massive loss to Crokes if he is unavailable for the decider. As strong Pat O’Shea’s squad is, you simply can’t replace a player of Buckley’s calibre. If the officials really did get it wrong then you would naturally hope that the red gets rescinded and he’s free to participate.

David Shaw relocated to midfield in Buckley’s stead and he had a fine game, as did the typically accurate Tony Brosnan who kicked six points (four from play). Forwards Kieran O’Leary, Brian Looney and Gavin O’Shea also did well and in defence, athletic Kerry star Gavin White put in a Man of the Match performance from centre back.

The obvious worry for the Kerry champions is the dreaded high ball, a weakness that was exposed once again in Semple Stadium the last day. Corofin have very clever forwards, most notably Ian Burke and Gary Sice, so the Crokes rearguard will need to be on high alert from start to finish. Fionn Fitzgerald was brilliant in the second half against Mullinalaghta but apart from him and Gavin White (who did most of his good work going forward) you couldn’t say that any Crokes defender had a particularly great game.

Corofin are slight favourites to lift the Andy Merrigan Cup on St Patrick’s Day and they are undoubtedly a quality side, but I still think Crokes are that small bit slicker in attack. The key will be cutting off the supply line to Corofin’s dangerous forwards and when you look at it like that, getting Johnny Buckley off the hook could well be the difference between winning and losing.

Pic: Sportsfile.

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Go on…put the kettle on to help a good cause!

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3 mins ago

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13 June 2021

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TEA TIME: Nora Murphy, Mary Lehane and Betty Carmody, drinking a cuppa as they raise awareness about this year’s Virtual Tea for Motor Neurone Disease which takes place on June 21.

By Michelle Crean

June 21 is Global Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness Day and one local group is calling for participants to get involved.

Christy Lehane, Chairman of Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone and Ambassador for the IMNDA, will take part in the Virtual Tea for MND fundraiser and awareness event.

“We never thought this time last year that 12 months later we would be doing Virtual Tea for MND,” Christy told the Killarney Advertiser.

“In these COVID times our fundraising efforts have all ceased, but sadly there is no slowing down of Motor Neurone Disease. Providing the support and services to our Motor Neurone sufferers is now more important than ever before. I am now appealing to all you good people and friends who have supported us in the past to please hear my plea. I myself will drink Virtual Tea for MND again this year. So go on, put on the kettle and take out the china tea pot and get family and friends around to the garden for a brew and a catchup for a great cause. If you do not feel comfortable with having people around, you can go very modern and go Zooming and encourage your friends to do so also. I am aware that some of our MND sufferers are themselves organising Virtual Tea Drinking get togethers.”

Participating SuperValu stores are on board again this year providing tea bags etc. to raise awareness of MND, and staff will be asking shoppers for donations for the IMNDA starting on June 7 to 21.

“I seldom seek donations and financial support, but perhaps in these COVID times when our need is greatest you might be moved to help us.”

Every year MND Associations across the globe mark June 21 as a special day of recognition where the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations across the world undertake a range of activities to raise awareness and keep focused on the search for the cause, treatment and eventual cure for this terrible disease.

You can donate to www.imnda.ie or if you can contact Christy Lehane Chairman of Kerry Friends of Motor Neurone and Ambassador for the IMNDA on 087 9671011.

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Laura’s new look for Leaving Cert

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6 hours ago

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13 June 2021

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NEW LOOK: Laura Cronin, who is currently sitting her Leaving Cert, cut 14 inches off her hair for The Rapunzel Foundation.

By Michelle Crean

Rathmore’s Laura Cronin headed into her Leaving Cert exams this week with a whole new look after transforming her hairstyle for charity.

Laura, daughter of Una and Donal from Rathbeg, cut 14 inches off her hair for The Rapunzel Foundation.

As her long locks didn’t get cut over the last year Laura decided to get a good chop in Katelynn’s Hair Design in Rathmore instead, and use the left over hair to create wigs for sick children.

“I thought, rather than trim it I’d cut a lot off,” Laura, who hopes to study pharmacy in college, told the Killarney Advertiser. “I wanted to cut off a lot of it, I was sick of long hair. I said that if there’d be enough I’d donate it as it’d be a shame to see it on the floor.”

Laura said that hopefully it can make a child happy if it allows them to receive a specially made wig for their First Holy Communion, or a similar occasion.

“I’d encourage anyone who has long hair to think about what they could do with it.”

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€1m upgrade for Killarney store

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8 hours ago

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13 June 2021

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INVESTMENT: DV8 have invested €1m to update their store in the Killarney Outlet Centre. Pictured at the reopening were staff members: Clodagh McCarthy (Store Manager), Lorraine McGough (Assistant Manager), Anuka Altanson and Sarah Murphy. Photo: Don MacMonagle

A popular Killarney fashion shop, which reopened last week, securing up to 15 jobs, has had a facelift after a €1 million investment.

Leading fashion retailer DV8, which has a network of over 50 stores across Ireland, reopened its 4,000 square feet store in the Killarney Outlet Centre.

And customers admired the new look.

DV8 sells over 40 top fashion clothing brands as well as footwear and accessories in its stores and online at www.dv8fashion.com. The hip fashion house is well-known for its uber cool shop interiors and has dedicated customers across Ireland and the UK.

“We are delighted to be reopening our new store in Killarney and confident it will compliment the existing retail offering in the town, with DV8’s unique range of male and female clothing and footwear,” David Scott from DV8 said.

“We think local shoppers will enjoy the DV8 experience, including the top fashion brands and excellent customer service.”

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