O’Leary shades a nerve-jangler for resilient Dr Crokes

ANOTHER week, another nerve-shredding encounter for Dr Crokes.

Their Kerry SFC semi-final success in Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday afternoon replicated the script that had been penned in their quarter-final victory the previous Sunday. Again they only had a wafer-thin margin to rely on at the final whistle. Again they had to withstand a ferocious late onslaught from stubborn opponents. And again it was Kieran O’Leary, deservedly bestowed with the man of the match award here, with the critical second-half points when they needed it.

This six-day period may define Dr Crokes’ season. They are still standing after 120 minutes of serious combat and on the cusp of retaining their title, a feat that has eluded them since 1914.