Five points for Casey as Crokes make it four wins in a row
Despite lining out without their Kerry stars, such as Colm Cooper, Eoin Brosnan and Kieran O’Leary, the Killarney club was still too strong for their East Kerry rivals, winning 2-12 to 0-10.
Despite Rathmore — without Aidan O’Mahony and Tom O’Sullivan — racing into an 0-3 to 0-0 lead, Dr Crokes held a 1-6 to 0-6 advantage at the break, thanks to an Andrew Kenneally goal, and five points from Dáithi Casey.
Jamie Doolan bagged his side’s second goal with just nine minutes left to rubberstamp the defending league champion’s fourth successive win.
Hot on Dr Crokes’ heels are Dingle, who just edged a titanic West Kerry derby against An Ghaeltacht on Saturday evening in Gallarus (1-10 to 1-9).
Flying high in third place are St Michaels/Foilmore who defeated Laune Rangers (0-16 to 0-10). The South Kerry side led from start to finish, racing into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead within six minutes, with Eanna O’Connor, Ronan O’Connor and Cian O’Connor on target. St Michaels/Foilmore led 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time, and despite the best efforts of former Kerry star, Mike Frank Russell, who scored five points, there was no way back for Laune Rangers.
Austin Stacks, minus Kieran Donaghy, are joint-third alongside St Michaels/Foilmore on five points after they inflicted more misery on point-less Tralee rivals, Kerins O’Rahillys (1-14 to 0-7). With Darragh Long, Graham O’Connell and Wayne Gutherie all on the scoresheet, Stacks led 0-9 to 0-3 at half time.
Stacks continued their impressive form in the second-half, adding 1-3 inside the opening eight minutes with Darragh Long goaling.
Ardfert move up to fifth place after they just edged past Annascaul (1-6 to 0-8) with Christopher Wallace’s goal proving decisive.
Meanwhile the Kerry minor football team to face Tipperary on Wednesday night was named yesterday.
KERRY (MF v Tipperary): S Murphy (Kilcummin); P Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), T Morley (Templenoe), C Fitzgerald (Dr Crokes); M O’Connor (Derrynane), R Murphy (Beaufort), K Murphy (Kilcummin); G O’Leary (Kilcummin), S Keane (Legion); I McCarthy (Na Gaeil), P Boyle (Ballyduff), J O’Donoghue (Glenflesk); J Moriarty (John Mitchel’s), C Keating (Skellig Rangers), K McCarthy (Kilcummin).
Subs: G Curran (Dingle), J Devane (Kilcummin), S McCarthy (Currow), D Behan (Ballydonoghue), T Kavanagh (Lios Póil), N Sheehy (John Mitchels), P Wrenn (Milltown/Castlemaine), D O’Leary (Kilcummin), G O’Sullivan (Listry).
