Crokes likely to have learned from litany of painful defeats

THE memories of past defeats may be scarring, but the experiences of county final day in 2005, 2006 and 2009 gives Dr Crokes a distinct edge heading into tomorrow’s Kerry SFC final in Austin Stack Park (3.30pm).

On those three occasions Dr Crokes came away second best when colliding with South Kerry, but their squad have accrued advantages from those marquee clashes.

In contrast, Austin Stacks are preparing for their first final in nine years and attacker Dara Long, one of the sole survivors from that 2001 clash, admits it is something the Tralee side will need to get to grips with.

“They are playing Division One football and have the experience of playing in county finals. They’ve lost three but you have to learn something from those defeats and they will be looking at making that right this year. We’d have a fair few of the younger lads facing into their first county final.

“We have lost a lot of players since 2001. Billy Sheehan has gone to Laois, Mike Finn went abroad and Brian Dennehy has been injured for most of the last two years. There’s maybe only four of us still playing. It’s been a rebuilding process but there is a great bunch of young fellas coming through now. You have to put a lot of it down to hard work as well.”

Austin Stacks have developed this season the foundations that were laid in reaching the semi-final last year. Corner-forwards Long and Graham O’Connell are in lethal form, while Mikey Collins is another reliable source of scores. The experience of William Kirby and TJ Hogan remains important while Barry Shanahan is developing into a player of substance.

The positioning of Kieran Donaghy is going to be significant. His presence at the edge of the square would provide Mike Moloney with a difficult afternoon, but the loss of centre-back Daniel Bohane is a savage blow, which may result in Shanahan wearing the number six shirt and Donaghy moving out at midfield.

Bohane’s availability would also have offered Austin Stacks a viable option of how to quell Colm Cooper’s input. He is the fulcrum of the Dr Crokes line up yet there have been signs that Brian Looney and Daithi Casey are becoming more influential figures in their attack.

The Dr Crokes diamond of Luke Quinn, Ambrose O’Donovan, Johnny Buckley and Eoin Brosnan provides plenty power and the potential to establish a platform for dominance. There is more pressure on Dr Crokes to deliver a title in their fourth final in six years.

Heading to Tralee and playing before the vociferous Austin Stacks faithful is another factor. But the absence of Bohane tilts the scales towards Dr Crokes. They are now a more seasoned outfit. The sense is that their time to claim honours has come.

Verdict: Dr Crokes