Crokes survive Clare scare

NO TARMAC melting on the roads and no throngs jamming all routes into Killarney yesterday, but an enthralling game nonetheless in this AIB Munster Club SFC semi-final at Dr Crokes ground.

The club championships often throw up pocket classics that stay warm in the memory, and this meeting of Kerry and Clare was one of them.

Forget the climate and the crowds, there were other preconceptions and presumptions coming to an abrupt end in Killarney: a terrific game ending twelve points to nine rather than a scorefest, for instance. Or the visitors settling quicker and jumping into a three points to nil lead in the first five minutes. Fourteen men keeping possession more easily than when they were fully staffed. Or Colm Cooper staying scoreless until 12 minutes to go.