Looney cuts loose as Crokes chalk up six in-a-row

BRIAN LOONEY was Dr Crokes’ hero as the Munster senior club champions won the East Kerry (O’Donoghue Cup) senior championship for the sixth year in-a-row yesterday.

Clinical wing-forward Looney weighed in with 0-7, all from play, as Crokes fought off a determined Rathmore challenge at Fitzgerald Stadium in what was the Kerry champions’ last competitive game before their All-Ireland club semi-final against Crossmaglen Rangers next month.

Despite watching their six-point half-time advantage, 0-9 to 0-3, reduced to just three points, 0-15 to 1-9, with two minutes left after John Buckley’s penalty for Rathmore, Crokes never panicked, with Colm Cooper and Looney added two insurance scores late on.