2010

Dr Crokes B wins seventh O’Sullivan Cup

played 27th November 2010

At Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday 27th November, after a poor first half, Kilcummin staged a strong revival in the second half to draw this O’Sullivan Cup final in normal time, but in the extra period Dr Crokes reasserted their dominance and prevailed by three points.

Corner forward Ben Brosnan opened the Kilcummin scoring in the third minute with a point from an acute angle. It took Dr Crokes ten minutes to register their first score courtesy of Denis Galvin who went on to turn in a man of the match performance. The Kilcummin midfield pair of Pat O’Donoghue and John O’Keeffe dominated the early exchanges which saw Kilcummin wing forward Michael O’Shea tack on another point following a great catch by Richie O’Connor from a kick out. But in a telling move by Dr Crokes, full forward David Moloney was brought to centre forward from where he dominated the game and was the town sides most effective player for the game. That move brought instant dividends. Moloney set up Denis Galvin who in a one-two move with Keith O’Leary narrowly failed to rattle the net as Brendan McSweeney saved at the expense of a 45metre free. But Dr Crokes now had the measure of their men. Full back Kieran Ward and their half back line of Joseph Keogh, Finian Moran and Sean Coppinger was the spring board from which they launched waves of attacks on the KIlcummin side. They went on to add five points and hold Kilcummin scoreless for the remainder of the half – their scores coming from Denis Galvin (0-2 frees), James Jones, centre back Finian Moran and the hard working David Moloney from a free. Half time Dr Crokes 0-6 Kilcummin 0-2.

Kilcummin introduced Ian O’Leary after half time and he was to play a crucial part in the game. Barra O’Connell and David Moloney stretched the Dr Crokes lead to six points early in the second half. Richie O’Connor and Denis Galvin swapped points but fifteen minutes into the half, Kilcummin staged a revival which saw Richie O’Connor gain the upper hand around the middle third of the pitch. O’Connor swung over a free - 0-9 to 0-4. Full back Damien Doolan and substitute Ger Sheehan added two more as Kilcummin played their best football – 0-9 to 0-6. However, Dr Crokes battened down the hatches with five minutes to go prepared to defend a three point lead. It was a risky mistake as events transpired. With three minutes left, Damien Doolan operating around the middle of the field passed to Richie O’Connor who moved the ball to the inrushing Ian O’Leary and he struck the leather past Alan Kelly in the Dr Crokes goal. The game had reached fever pitch with minutes left and the teams locked 1-6 to 0-9. A Richie O’Connor 45 metre free landed short into Alan Kellys hands but Kelly’s clearance was intercepted by O’Connor and he drew a foul 40 metres out. O’Connor failed to convert the free and in a counter attack Barra O’Connell appeared to have scored the winning point on the stroke of full time. – 0-10 to 1-6. Kilcummin attacked up the left wing and Ger Sheehan passed to O’Connor who found Noel Duggan outside the square. But Duggans effort failed to raise a flag. Duggan made amends moments later as Kilcummin won the kick out and this time Duggan was inch perfect from 20metres to level the game in normal time - Kilcummin 1-7 Dr Crokes 0-10.

That herculean effort by Kilcummin stung the Dr Crokes team into retaliation as they registered four points to one in the first period of extra time. A David Moloney free from 40 metres was added to by two Denis Galvin points and substitute Bryan O’Shea made it 0-14 to 1-8 at the end of the first period – Ger Sheehan getting the solitary Kilcummin score.

The best players from each side, Denis Galvin and Richie O’Connor brought the game to a conclusion in the second period of extra time with a point apiece to leave the final score Dr Crokes 0-15 Kilcummin 1-9.

Following the game East Kerry Board Chairman Dermot Griffin complimented both teams and with Kathleen O’Sullivan in attendance presented the Owen O’Sullivan Cup to Dr Crokes captain Denis Galvin who lead his team by example and earned the man of the match award which was presented by Con O’Sullivan.

Teams: Dr Crokes: Alan Kelly, Chris Egan, Kieran Ward, Keith McMahon, Joe Keogh, Finian Moran(0-1), Sean Coppinger, James Jones(0-1), Barra O’Connell (0-2), Donal Cronin, Ruairi Mangan, Conor O’Neill, Denis Galvin (0-7, 0-2 frees), David Moloney(0-3 frees), Keith O’Leary, Subs; Colm Griffin, Shane Kavanagh, Stephen Clifford, Gordon Buckley, Bryan O’Shea (0-1)

Kilcummin: Brendan McSweeney, James Devane, Damien Doolan(0-1), Gavin O’Leary, Patrick Buckley, Eric O’Connor, Eoin Lane, Pat O’Donoghue, John O’Keeffe, Michael O’Shea(0-1), Colm Lenihan, Richie O’Connor (0-3, frees), Ben Brosnan(0-1), Diarmuid O’Donoghue, Sean B Doherty, Subs: Ian O’Leary (1-0), Ger Sheehan (0-2, 0-1 free), Noel Duggan (0-1)

Referee Christy Crowley Gneeveguilla.