Finding Nemo just too tall a task for Crokes
Nemo Rangers owned the first half as they mesmerised Dr Crokes with some fantastic expansive attacking football and deservedly led by 13 points at the break.
Crokes completely dominated the second half but in the end they had given themselves too much to do and came up just short as the Cork kingpins prevailed by two points.
Nemo Rangers burst from the blocks showing no signs of any winter rustiness. James Masters had their first point after only 20 seconds. Nemo realised that elusive balance between freshness and sharpnes
s and they were first to the ball in most areas. Crokes on the other hand looked sluggish and did not seem to get to the pitch of the game until late in the first half.
Nemo dominated midfield which meant that their lively forward line got an abundant supply.
Both David Niblock and Peter Morgan were strong in the air and forceful in possession. Morgan caused havoc with a few great drives through the middle which brutally exposed Crokes’ lack of physicality there.
The Nemo forwards movement early on was outstanding as they made space for each other with their intelligent running and then crucially made the right decisions with ball in hand. They kicked some magnificent scores during this purple patch. Alan Cronin was busy and effective on the 40, Paul Kerrigan showed flashes of brilliance while Barry O’Driscoll was very impressive.
Inside Masters was at his brilliant best as he gave an exhibition of kicking. His drop kick finish for his brilliantly worked goal screamed of a player playing with massive confidence. They did look vulnerable at the back but the first half attacks of Crokes were too sporadic to cause persistent concerns. Nemo did ride their luck a bit when two attacks almost led to Colm Cooper goals. The first one was a clever move but Briain Morgan anticipated what was about to happen as he advanced smartly and saved well as Gooch tried to slide the ball under him.
Shortly afterwards Gooch flicked a high ball goalwards but it smacked the crossbar and came back into play. Such was Nemo’s dominance that Crokes needed at least one of these chances to find the net to ignite their challenge, or so it seemed.
In the second half a complete role reversal ensued as Crokes dominated and Nemo struggled. Driven on by the outstanding Eoin Brosnan, now at midfield, Crokes ensured a decent supply for Gooch and Kieran O’Leary as they completely took over. Nemo only managed two second half points as they took on wave after wave of Crokes’ attacks. The indomitable spirit shown by the Killarney men as they rallied from a seemingly hopeless situation was admirable. O’Leary’s 63rd minute goal came a couple of minutes too late to really test Nemo’s mettle but they certainly never gave up.
While Eddie Kirwin and his management team will be alarmed and disappointed at their second half disintegration they will realise on reflection this week that they are in a great position facing into an All-Ireland semi-final.
If they had maintained their first half excellence and had hammered Dr Crokes it would have been difficult to keep players focused and avoid the ruinous hype that such a victory would have generated. The nature of the second half collapse gives them plenty to work on. Top of their to do list will be an analysis of their complete loss of shape in the second half as Nemo retreated and Crokes took over. Nemo struggled to bring the ball out as they had no outlet in the half forward line to get ball consistently to. They will also need to tighten up at the back but they have the personnel to do this and are unlikely to encounter as vaunted an attack as Dr Crokes again.
A manager only ever wants a perfect display once a year from his team and that is in a final.
Nemo will improve again and they will take beating. If they continue to win midfield and supply their potent forward line with enough ball Croke Park on St Patrick’s day beckons.
