Kerry stars Burns and Brosnan inspire 34th O'Donoghue Cup success for Dr Crokes

Dr Crokes claimed a 34th O’Donoghue Cup title after edging out holders Rathmore at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Tony Brosnan of Dr Crokes  Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

East Kerry SFC final: Dr Crokes 1-15 Rathmore 0-16 (after extra-time) 

A brace of points from ace attackers Micheál Burns and Tony Brosnan, in the dying embers of extra-time, propelled Dr Crokes to a 34th O’Donoghue Cup title after edging out holders Rathmore in the East Kerry SFC Final at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Despite coming from six points down with 20 minutes of normal time left to force the added period, the reigning champions will be left with regrets after kicking nine wides (to two) in the opening 60 minutes, and then losing Ciaran Collins to a red card in the 58th minute.

Even though Burns was himself sent to the sin-bin in the aftermath of the Rathmore full-forward’s dismissal for a high challenge on Neil O’Shea, the Dr Crokes’ forward returned to the fray, and continued to be hugely influential to the end result.

Indeed, it was the Kerry inter-county star who drilled home the game’s only goal in the 23rd minute, with Evan Looney, Brosnan and Brian Looney all combining, the latter with a stunning crossfield pass which Burns buried with conviction and ruthlessness.

Without the injured Gavin White, Dr Crokes led by two points at half-time, 1-5 to 0-6, with Shane Ryan razor-sharp from placed balls for Rathmore. A quick-fire double on the resumption, from Brian Friel, had the sides level, and with everything to play for.

Three orange flag frees, two from Brosnan, moved Dr Crokes six up after 40 minutes, 1-11 to 0-8, but, amazingly, they failed to register again for half an hour. A Dan Murphy two-pointer kick-started the Rathmore revival, and the leaders went into their shells.

By the time Collins got his marching orders, the deficit was down to the bare minimum, but Dr Crokes seemed certain to hold on by the skin of their teeth. However, in one last attack, Cathal Ryan curled over a superb left-footed equaliser, 1-11 to 0-14.

As the visibility faded considerably, both sides only added a point apiece in the first half of extra-time. Mark O’Shea and Mark Reen then exchanged scores on the resumption and, with the destination of the local bragging rights in the melting pot, dynamic duo Burns and Brosnan had the final say.

Scorers for Dr Crokes: T Brosnan 0-8 (0-1f, 2tpf), M Burns 1-4 (0-2fs), B Courtney 0-2 (tpf), M O’Shea 0-1.

Scorers for Rathmore: S Ryan 0-9 (1tpf, 0-6fs), B Friel, D Murphy(tp) 0-2 each, M Ryan, C Ryan, M Reen 0-1 each.

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

Subs: M Fitzgerald for C Fitzgerald (45), A Byrne for Doyle (51), K O’Leary for Shaw (55), A Hennigan for N O’Shea (temp 59-60), Doyle for Cooper (65), Hennigan for Courtney (65).

RATHMORE: W Casey; C Dineen, D Murphy, T O’Doherty; A Dineen, F Murphy, F Holohan; A Moynihan, C Ryan; B Friel, S Ryan, T Holohan; M Reen, C Collins, M Ryan.

Subs: D Rahilly for F Holohan (temp, 9-14), C O’Connor for O’Doherty (23), P Moynihan for T Holohan (58), Rahilly for Friel (71).

Referee: E Horan (Glenflesk).