Crokes face Legion in Killarney derby date

Champions Dr Crokes were handed a derby date with Killarney rivals Legion in the first round of Kerry SFC while former divisional powerhouses South Kerry and East Kerry have also been paired.

Crokes with seven players on the county squad will be favourites to advance against a youthful Legion side who have James O’Donoghue and Kerry minor star Conor Keane in their ranks.

Both clubs had impressive club championship wins. Colm Cooper hit 1-3 as Crokes powered past Austin Stacks 2-13 to 1-15 while Tom Moriarty fired 3-3 as Legion trounced Dingle 6-8 to 1-12.

East Kerryare bidding to return to the glory days of dominance but South Kerry still have a powerful squad backboned by four Kerry seniors — Bryan Sheehan, Killian Young, Mark Griffin and Declan O’Sullivan. Paul Galvin’s Finuge will make their debut in the topflight against St Michael’s/Foilmore. In intermediate there were wins for St Mary’s and Listowel Emmets. In junior, Keel, Glenbeigh/Glencar and Cordal won.