Dr Crokes retained O'Sullivan Cup (sponsored by Killarney Oils) when they had a very comprehensive victory over a disappointing Cordal side at Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday.

Dr Crokes took the game by the scruff of the neck from the very start and, apart from a brief period before the interval they always looked the likely winners. On top throughout at mid- field, thanks to the excellent James Jones and David Moloney , the Dr Crokes forwards enjoyed a plentiful supply of possession which they put to good use. Mike Buckley and Dave Moloney had early Crokes points before a harmless cross by Mike Dwyer was fumbled by Cordal goalkeeper, Mike Courtney, and Ger O'Shea was in like a flash to fist the ball to the net.

Tommy O'Mahony opened Cordal's account with a point in the 13th minute, but Crokes had surged into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead by the 20th minute. Eamonn John O'Donoghue upped his game at midfield and Cordal enjoyed their best spell of the game, scoring four points in the period before the break. A great score by Tommy O'Mahony from over 40 yards was the highlight.

At the break, it was 1-7 to 0-6 for Crokes and it looked as if Cordal would make Crokes fight all the way in the second half. However, any hopes the challengers had were dashed inside the opening ten minutes, when, after Tommy Brosnan had two early pointed frees, veteran Mike Buckley punched a great goal after a centre from David Moloney.

Brosnan, who could do no wrong at this stage, had three unanswered points and Crokes led by 2-14 to 0-6 with ten minutes remaining. Cordal did salvage some pride when James O'Donoghue goaled from a quick free and Tommy O'Connor scored a fine goal after being put through by O'Donoghue four minutes from time.

These scores served only to put a better complexion on the scoreboard, however, and Kerry panelist, David Moloney had the last say when goaling from close range at the call of time to give the holders an emphatic and deserved win.On the day they had few weaknesses despite lining out without former all star Connie Murphy. Their defence was very sound, Moloney and Jones, as stated controlled midfield and up front Tommy Brosnan, Ger O'Shea, Billy Kennigan and ,Mike Buckley were always threatening. Cordal never got going, but Con Greaney, Eamonn John O'Donoghue, Tommy O'Connor and Tommy Maloney played well. Full time score DR. CROKES 3-15 CORDAL 2-7

Dr Crokes: Martin Byrnes, Donal Kavanagh, James Cahillane, Vince Cooper, Mike Cooper, Larry Madden, Eanna Kavanagh, David Moloney (1-2), James Jones (0-2}..."Mike Dwyer, Noel O'Leary, Tommy Brosnan (0.5), Billy Kerrigan (0-3), Mike Buckley (1-1}, Ger O'Shea (1-2). Subs : Kevin Smith, Finian Moran, Ambrose Donovan

Cordal: Mike Courtney, Paudie O'Connor, Mossie Enright, George O'Connor, Micheal Kirwan Con Greaney, Tim O'Donoghue, Maurice Costello, Eamonn John O'Donoghue, Thady O'Donoghue, James O’Donoghue (1-0), Tom O'Connor (1-3), Daniel O'Connor, Gerard Murphy, Tommy O'Mahony (0-3)Subs : John Roche (0-1), John O'Rourke.

Michael O'Donoghue (Glenflesk) refereed the game sensibly.

FOOTNOTE: Before the game, a minute's silence was, observed in memory of the late Pat Horan, Vice President of the Dr Crokes club who died during the week.