Tony Brosnan stars as Dr Crokes make winning start in Kerry SFC against Spa

Goals in either half were decisive and both were created by Brosnan.

HI TONY: Tony Brosnan of Dr Crokes in action against Eric O'Donoghue (2) and Eoghan Cronin (3) of Spa during their Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Group 3, Round 1 at Spa GAA on Friday evening.Photo by Tatyana McGough

DR CROKES 2-14 SPA 0-13

A much more polished second half display enabled holders Dr Crokes to get off to a winning start from this Killarney derby in their opening Kerry senior football club championship (Group 3) encounter with the hosts at Spa GAA grounds.

Despite being sloppy and error-strewn in the opening 30 minutes, the Lewis Road aristocrats still managed to take a one-point lead with them to the break (1-6 to 0-8) and, on the resumption, even against the breeze, they made significant improvements.

Goals in either half were decisive. Both were created by star man Tony Brosnan, who finished with 0-8, with the first green flag coming as early as the fifth minute. Mark O’Shea was also involved, and Brosnan supplied Gavin O’Shea for an excellent top-corner finish.

Spa, however, were the better side for long periods of the half against their rusty visitors, who were missing the injured Charlie Keating, but otherwise had their six Kerry squad members in action just 12 days after the All-Ireland final victory over Donegal.

Mark O'Shea of Dr Crokes in action against Evan Cronin of Spa during their Kerry Petroleum Senior Club Football Championship Group 3, Round 1 at Spa GAA on Friday evening.Photo by Tatyana McGough

Centre-back Dan O’Donoghue was impressive, while Dara Moynihan got 47 minutes under his belt, and kicked two fine points for Spa. With Evan Cronin also effective in attack, they were four points up (0-7 to 1-0) before Brosnan rallied Dr Crokes before half-time to lead by the minimum.

On the changeover, Dr Crokes were far more secure in possession and against the elements, they showed their trademark patience. David Shaw notched three good points from play, while Gavin White’s driving runs from centre-back were regular and effective.

The second Dr Crokes goal arrived in the 48th minute when they were just two points clear, 1-9 to 0-10. The evergreen Brian Looney found Brosnan in space, and his unselfishness allowed Cian McMahon to palm home at the back post.

Spa kept plugging away, with Niall McCarthy and Gary Vaughan very workmanlike, but with Micheál Burns and White getting on the scoresheet before the end, Dr Crokes finished strongly.

The only downside was a first half injury to defender Maidhcí Lynch.

Scorers for Dr Crokes: T Brosnan (0-8, 1tpf, 3fs), G O’Shea, C McMahon (1-0 each), D Shaw (0-3), B Looney, M Burns, G White (0-1 each).

Scorers for Spa: C Tobin (0-4, 4fs), E Cronin (0-3), D Moynihan (0-2), D Spillane, M Foley, N McCarthy, A Cronin (0-1 each).

DR CROKES: S Murphy; M Potts, F Fitzgerald, N O’Shea; M Lynch, G White, E Looney; M O’Shea, D Shaw; M Burns, G O’Shea, B Looney; T Brosnan, T Doyle, C McMahon.

Subs: C Fitzgerald for Lynch, inj (14), A Hennigan for Doyle (45), J O’Sullivan for McMahon (53), M Cooper for G O’Shea (60), B Courtney for B Looney (60+3).

SPA: S O’Meara; E O’Donoghue, E Cronin, D Brosnan; G Vaughan, D O’Donoghue, C Stack; C Spillane, N McCarthy; D Moynihan, E Cronin, M Foley; C Tobin, D Spillane, J McCarthy.

Subs: L Spillane for C Spillane (45), M Moynihan for Moynihan (47), A Cronin for J McCarthy (53), R O’Neill for Stack (57), M Horgan for D Spillane (60+3).

Referee: S Joy (Laune Rangers).