Nov 25,2024
Rathgormack 0-08 Dr Crokes 0-09
Dr. Crokes are through to another Munster Senior Club Football Championship Final - however they were made to work for victory as Rathgormack of Waterford almost sprung an almighty surprise.
Crokes prevailed by the minimum at Fraher Field - and largely had goalkeeper Shane Murphy to thank for their progression.
Back-to-back Deise champions Rathgormack went into the game bidding to become the first Waterford side to reach the decider since 2016 - while Crokes were in the ascendancy having knocked out holders Castlehaven, and they firmly had their sights set on Munster title number nine.
Not since 2007 had a Waterford side saw off a Kerry side in this championship - but Rathgormack made a spirited attempt from the offset to rewrite the history books.
The Waterford champions hit the front early on through a fine effort from distance by Conor Murray, and another well-taken score by James Power either side of a Tony Brosnan free summed up their bright start after six minutes. Brosnan soon equalised and from there on in, the 8-time Munster champions moved ahead.
Back-to-back scores from Micheal Burns kicked Crokes 0-04 to 0-02 in front, but Jason Curry's strike from 45 metres again reduced arrears to the minimum. Brosnan was on target with the dead ball again, but James Power kicked through the crowd for his second white flag of the afternoon to remind those present that they were going nowhere. A superbly worked team move from Dr. Crokes moved them back two points ahead before a Jason Gleeson free - but Maidhcí Lynch combined superbly with Gavin O’Shea to open his account right before the interval, 0-07 to 0-05 at half time - but it was all still to play for.
The visitors had the advantage of the elements in the second period - but it didn’t count for much as it was Rathgormack who came out all guns blazing after the break. Crokes keeper Murphy made a crucial intervention on 36 minutes - James Power jinking his way past three defenders and offloading to Peter Walsh but his powerful drive was palmed away.
Burns kicked over a textbook effort for his fourth to move Pat O’Shea’s men three ahead, but an Adam Murray was further evidence that a spirited Rathgormack would give everything to reach their first ever provincial showpiece.
Brosnan pointed a free on 52 minutes to make it 0-09 to 0-06 - but that proved to be their last score as Crokes were first to go all hands on deck to survive this mighty scare.
Peter Walsh won the ball amidst a crowd and found Jason Curry to fire over his second effort from play, and as veteran Brian Looney fired wide at one end - Rathgormack hunted like wolves and won a free which Curry converted to reduce arrears to the minimum.
They hunted and won a free which dropped under the crossbar, but the Kerry men forced it clear to the sound of Niall Quinn's whistle.
Dr. Crokes march on by the skin of their teeth to an 11th Munster final - but they won’t forget this battle in Dungarvan in a hurry.
Rathgormack: Paudie Hunt; Glen Power, Mairtin Power, Willie Hahessy; Sean Hahessy, Tom Walsh, Cathal Crowch; Peter Walsh, Michael Curry; James Power (0-02), Jason Curry (0-03, 0-02f), Conor Murray (0-01); Jason Gleeson (0-01; 0-01f), Stephen Curry, Adam Murray (0-01).
Subs: Billy Power for Cathal Crowch (HT); Francis Roche for Adam Murray (HT)
Dr Crokes: Shane Murphy; Evan Looney, Fionn Fitzgerald, Maidhcí Lynch (0-01); Charlie Keating, Gavin White, Brian Looney; Mark O'Shea, Michael Potts; Micheál Burns (0-04, 0-02f), Gavin O’Shea, Tom Doyle; Tony Brosnan (0-04, 0-04f), David Shaw, Cian McMahon.
Subs: Kieran O’Leary for Cian McMahon (40); John Payne for Michael Potts (42); David Naughton for Tom Doyle; Michael Moloney for Maidhci Lynch (58)
Referee: Niall Quinn (Clare)
