Kerry SFC: Three-goal Mid Kerry stun reigning champions Dr Crokes to reach quarter-finals

Glenbeigh/Glencar's Liam Smith was an inspirational figure for Mid Kerry in the victory. 

Eoin Clifford scored a crucial second half goal for Mid Kerry as their knocked reigning champions Dr Crokes out of the Kerry SFC. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Kerry SFC round 1: Mid Kerry 3-8 Dr Crokes 0-15 

Inspired by a herculean midfield display by the towering Liam Smith, Mid Kerry weathered a second half storm to stunningly knock out defending champions Dr Crokes in this Kerry SFC round 1 game at a windswept Austin Stack Park.

The Glenbeigh/Glencar powerhouse was simply indestructible when the game was in the melting pot, as even the artistic magic of Tony Brosnan in attack wasn’t enough for the Killarney men. The concession of three goals was the reigning kingpins’ undoubted Achilles heel.

On the other side of the coin, and though there was an element of fortune about Eoin Clifford’s 47th minute green flag, the elegant Ciaran Kennedy produced an undisputed moment of individual magic for what turned out to be the crucial third Mid Kerry goal just four minutes later.

Brosnan (0-8 in the second half) did his level best to pull things out of the fire for Dr Crokes, but Mid Kerry simply refused to submit. Smith led the way, but others like Sean O’Brien, Mike Breen, Clifford, Kennedy, and sub Darren Houlihan, were immense.

With the aid of the elements, it was the challengers who got off to the brighter start. Keith Evans fired over a point, and then fellow wing-forward Darragh O’Connor raised an orange flag with a booming left-footed score in the fourth minute.

After that, for a lengthy spell, it was trademark Dr Crokes. Against the strong wind, and led by Gavin White from centre-back, they took the whole sting out of proceedings. In an effortless passage of ball retention, they totally frustrated the opposition.

Amazingly, after a Tony Brosnan (free), and points from play by Tom Doyle and David Shaw, the sides were level (0-3 apiece) after 12 minutes. Indeed, Mid Kerry would go 17 minutes, with weather conditions in their favour, without adding to their tally.

When the divisional side ended their scoring famine in the 21st minute, it was courtesy of an excellent goal. Daire Cleary took advantage of a poor Dr Crokes kick-out, Liam Carey provided the assist, and Jack O’Connor drilled a low left-footed drive past the diving Shane Murphy.

Inspired by that green flag turbo boost, Mid Kerry quickly moved six points clear, before Dr Crokes finished strongly – Cian McMahon blazing over from close range, and Micheál Burns being denied a potential goal by a stunning block by Kerry team-mate O’Brien.

On the resumption, trailing by four points (1-6 to 0-4), and, despite never getting into full stride, Dr Crokes drew level by the 43rd minute when Brosnan arrowed over a superb two-pointer from play. However, they would never manage to take the lead.

Clifford’s goal-bound strike took a wicked deflection off David Shaw before looping past Murphy 13 minutes from time to rock the champs back on their heels and, in the 51st minute, it was all about the composure and the calm finishing of Kennedy after a determined, scything surge (3-8 to 0-12).

Trying desperately to rescue the situation late on, Brosnan raised an orange flag from a placed ball, and substitute Alex Hennigan added a minor from play but, with the indefatigable Smith ruling the air, Mid Kerry would not be denied a famous triumph.

Scorers for Mid Kerry: J O’Connor 1-2 (1tpf), C Kennedy 1-2, E Clifford 1-0, D O’Connor 0-2 (tp), K Evans, L Smith 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dr Crokes: T Brosnan 0-9 (0-1f, 2tpf, 2tp), T Doyle, D Shaw, C McMahon, B Courtney, M Burns (f), A Hennigan 0-1 each.

MID KERRY: J Browne (Laune Rangers); S Cleary (Laune Rangers), N Breen (Beaufort), E Coffey (Beaufort); E Clifford (Laune Rangers), M Breen (Beaufort), S O’Brien (Beaufort); R Murphy (Beaufort), L Smith (Glenbeigh/Glencar); D O’Connor (Beaufort), D Cleary (Laune Rangers), K Evans (Keel); J O’Connor (Beaufort), C Kennedy (Beaufort), L Carey (Beaufort).

Subs: S Gannon (Laune Rangers) for Carey (25), S Evans (Keel) for J O’Connor (38), D Houlihan (Cromane) for Murphy (45), G O’Grady (Glenbeigh/Glencar) for D O’Connor (50).

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

Subs: C Keating for C Fitzgerald (37), K O’Leary for Doyle (39), A Hennigan for McMahon (50), J O’Sullivan for Courtney (55), M Cooper for O’Shea (58).

Referee: S Mulvihill (St Senan’s).