County title dream comes first for Crokes
The Killarney club will concede the Club Championship semi-final the competition used to nominate a Kerry club for the provincial campaign if a division wins the county championship against Gaeltacht, and take their chances against South Kerry tomorrow week.
However Crokes' coach Pat O'Shea insists that should not be interpreted as a statement of confidence regarding their county championship chances.
"There just aren't enough weekends left until Kerry's representatives are committed to Munster duties, so we'll take our chances if we reach the county final," he said.
If South Kerry who await the winners of tomorrow's replay in Tralee (2.30pm) retain their county title, Kerry will be represented by Gaeltacht, Dr Crokes, Austin Stacks or Kerins O'Rahillys in the Munster club championship.
Given Dr Crokes inexperience, it's understandable if they limit their focus to the domestic championship. They were reeled in from a seven point advantage by Laune Rangers in the drawn semi-final three weeks ago and had to rely on a last minute free from Colm Cooper to salvage a replay.
"We were in control when they got their goal, but the thing that pleased me is how we controlled the ball when Rangers went a point ahead in the final few minutes," said O'Shea.
Cooper and his Kerry colleague Eoin Brosnan returned fit and well from Australia on Thursday night, and will need to be consistent contributors if Crokes are to deny the Killorglin side a place in their third successive county final.
Rangers coach John Evans needs no reminder that they lost both previous finals (one after a replay to Gaeltacht, when they were denied victory by a post in the final moments), but he sees that as a strength, not a weakness.
"We'll hang in there, we want to play in another county final," he said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
