No arguments as Dr Crokes prove simply the best

Dr Crokes (Kerry) 3-15 The Nire (Waterford) 0-6: Whatever about the decision to play the Rose of Tralee shortly after the final whistle, there could be no arguing with the rendition of Simply the Best that greeted winning captain Johnny Buckley as he ambled towards the presentation area.

Following in the footsteps of Luke Quinn in 2011, Kieran O’Leary in 2012 and 2013 joint-captains Michael Moloney and Ambrose O’Donovan, Buckley’s acceptance speech was the fourth delivered by a Dr Crokes player in six seasons, a level of dominance on the provincial scene matched only by the Nemo Rangers class of the early noughties.

That the handle of the cup fell off as Buckley thrust the silverware into the air was the sole blip on an otherwise perfect afternoon for the Killarney side.