East Region Minor League – Semi-Final
Dr Crokes 2-17 Firies 2-13
As a result of this four point win over Firies, in Farranfore, on Monday the 17th August 2015, Dr Crokes qualified for the final of the East Region Minor League, sponsored by The Tatler Jack, against neighbours Spa.
The teams exchanged points in the first five minutes. Dr Crokes went three points ahead by the tenth minute but a good goal by Firies in the 11th minute put them ahead by a point, as they had also scored a point a minute earlier. Firies went two points ahead by the fifteenth minute, scoring two points to our one. A goal by Dylan O’ Sullivan at the start of the second quarter from a pass by Michael Potts put Dr Crokes back in front. The remaining minutes of this quarter belonged to Firies who sent over five points to one for Dr Crokes, leaving the score at the break, 1-9 to 1-6 in favour of Firies.
On the restart, Dr Crokes came out with all guns blazing and had the first three points of the third quarter. To their credit, Firies regained their composure and two unanswered points put them two points in front with twenty minutes to go. In the next ten minutes Dr Crokes got well on top and sent over five points without reply, one of them a great forty five by Adam O’ Shea, his second forty five of the game. This left the visitors three points in front and looking to have victory in their sights. Firies, however, had other ideas and a goal and a point without reply put them a point in front with seven points to go. The Dr Crokes superior fitness levels enabled the Lewis Road side to put in a grand stand finish. A goal by Adam O’ Shea from a very good Mike Casey pass and two more points to their opponents one, gave Dr Crokes a four point winning margin at the end.
This was a great work out for the Dr Crokes team, before next weeks County Championship game and provided game time to the larger panel of players.
Dr Crokes best on the night were Brian Fitzgerald, John Kerrisk, Mark O’ Shea, Michael Potts, Mike Casey, Brendan Coppinger and Adam O’ Shea.
Dr Crokes Best Player – Adam O’ Shea
Team and scorers: Tony Clifford, James Mc Auliffe, Jack Linehan, Brian Fitzgerald, Mark O’ Shea 0-1, John Kerrisk, Creagh Courtney 0-2, Paul Clarke, Michael Potts, Jack Griffin 0-1, Mike Casey 0-3, Brendan Coppinger 0-2, Adam O’ Shea 1-6 (0-2 frees, 0-2 45’s), Dylan O’ Sullivan 1-1, Michael Owen Buckley. Substitutes used: Mark Hartnett 0-1, Conor Harrington, Shane O’ Connor.
Firies: Luke Doran, Jason O’Connor, Shane O’Donoghue, Padraig O’Mahony, Seamus Barry, Cian O’Callaghan, Daniel O’Connor, William Courtney(0-03, 0-2frees), Cathal O’Shea(0-03), Niall O’Donoghue(0-02), Connal Murphy(0-01), Liam Brosnan, Ciaran Flynn(1-02), Donnacha O’Sullivan(0-02,0-1free), Jake Flynn(1-0). Substitutes: Evan Cosgrove, Patrick Daly, Eddie O’Rourke, Shane Kennedy, Philip Lyons.
Referee: Donal Casey Scartaglen.