Crokes steeled in the fire

CROSSMAGLEN have built their reputation on the back of a staggering run of victories in the past 13 years but Kilmacud Crokes defender Niall Corkery believes it is past defeats that can act as their springboard to success on St Patrick’s Day.

The Stillorgan club has been Dublin’s most successful in the current decade but defeats in two county finals as well as reversals in previous provincial and All-Ireland campaigns have steeled them for the fire next week.

“A pattern has emerged with this team,” Corkery explained. “When I first came on the scene (in 2003) we had lost a county title. The next year we won the county title and lost in Leinster.