Dr Crokes 0-17
Kenmare Shamrocks 1-9
Austin Stack Park, Tralee
It wasn’t to be our day in Austin Stack Park on Sunday as we bowed out of the Kerry Club SFC at the semi-final stage against a strong Dr Crokes side. Having to make some late changes and not having a fully fit Seanie O’Shea didn’t make they situation any easier.
After a difficult first half playing against a strong wind, we were first on the scoresheet with a fine point from Steven Obrien. Scores were hard to come by after that as Croke’s got a grip of the game by dominating midfield. We trailed 0-11 to 0-4 at the break, with our other 3 points coming from Tom Murnane, Kevin O Sullivan, and Donal O’Sullivan.
But true to the Shamrocks’ spirit, the lads came roaring out of the dressing room and struck immediately through a superb Tom Murnane goal just 20 seconds after the restart. That lifted our challenge, and further points from Paul O’Connor and Kevin O’Sullivan saw the gap narrowed to just three with a quarter of an hour to play.
With great support from the stands, the team pushed hard, and a brilliant late run from Tommy Cronin almost brought us back into contention, only to be denied by a fine save. In the end, Crokes’ experience saw them close the game out, but our lads left everything on the pitch.
While disappointed not to progress, we are immensely proud of the fight, commitment, and spirit shown by the team throughout the year. Reaching the last four of the Club Championship is a credit to the players, management, and everyone who continues to support the Shamrocks.
We thank our loyal supporters for travelling in numbers to Tralee and getting behind the team. Your encouragement means everything.
Highlights
- ⚽️ Tom Murnane’s goal lit up the second half and gave real belief to players and supporters alike.
- 🟢 Paul O’Connor added energy and scores off the bench, while Kevin O’Sullivan and Zack O Shea worked tirelessly throughout.
Kenmare Scorers – Tom Murnane: 1-1 K. O’Sullivan (0-2), D. O’Connor, S. O’Shea, S. O’Brien, D. O’Sullivan (free), J. Tangney, P. O’Connor (0-1 each)
K. Fitzgibbon; C. O’Sullivan, J. McCarthy, T. Cronin; D. O’Shea, D. O’Connor, Z. O’Shea; J. Tangney, T. O’Sullivan; K. O’Sullivan, S. O’Shea, J. O’Sullivan; S. O’Brien, D. O’Sullivan, T. Murnane
Subs used: G. Wharton (for T. O’Sullivan, half-time), P. O’Connor (for Tangney, 40′), J. Lehane (for Wharton, 51′), D. Crowley (for C. O’Sullivan), E. McCarthy (for D. O’Sullivan, 55′)
