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DR CROKES climaxed a great year at home on Sunday when they defeated An Ghaeltacht by 2-13 to 1-10 in the county league division senior football final at Lewis Road.

Fielding just 10 of the starting side from the Nemo defeat they led all the way, scoring an early goal. Early points from Eoin Brosnan, Kieran O’Leary, Colm Cooper and an easy goal by Micheal Burns set them on the road to victory.

Sean Bambaire got one back for the West Kerry men but Sean Clarke replied quickly with a second Crokes goal. They had the cushion of a five-point lead throughout and never looked like getting caught. At half-time they led 2-8 to 1-5. Man-of-the-match award winner was Brian Looney who was brilliant both in scoring and in general play.

In my estimation Crokes ’keeper Shane Murphy, who brought off five brilliant goalbound saves from a variety of Gaeltacht forwards, deserved the honour of MVP. His reflexes were excellent. Gavin O’Shea also excelled playing deep shoring up the Croke defence.

Dr Crokes have had three long seasons without much by way of a break so they will look forward to a two-month break before starting all over again.

 
Above: Dr Crokes captain Daithi Casey celebrates with his team after defeating An Gaeltacht to the Kerry County League in Killarney on Sunday.
Picture: Don MacMonagle