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Dr Crokes book their place in the Senior Club Football Final despite late spirited Rathmore comeback.

The huge crowd enjoying the sunshine in Bishop Moynihan / Tim Lenihan Park, Rathmore.

Dr Crokes came out on top in this clash of East Kerry rivals 2–10 (16) to 1–15 (18) to book their place in the Senior Club Football Final.

Referee Paul Hayes and match officials with captains Brian Friel, Rathmore, and David Naughton, Dr Crokes.

The huge crowd was treated to glorious sunshine, and fast-moving fully committed football played on an immaculate playing surface in Bishop Moynihan / Tim Lenihan Park, Rathmore.

Fully committed football from both sides. John Payne being closely marked.

Both teams had lost a match in the opening group stages although Rathmore had already qualified for the knockout stages when they went down to Spa.

Micheál Burns, getting close attention from Dan Murphy (4) and Fionn Holohan (5), finished the afternoon with 0–03 (0–02f).

Rathmore started with a lively breeze behind them, but it took about 7 minutes for the first score of the game by Cian Dineen. The teams traded points in the following minutes to leave it 2 points apiece approaching the 15-minute mark.

Kerry number 1 Shane Ryan marked closely by his Kerry teammate Gavin White and Neil O’Shea (21).

However, the Rathmore forwards seemed to be just missing that final clean pass to get their shots off accurately. The Killarney men’s tight defence also playing its part no doubt.

Tony Brosnan, who scored 1-06 (0-01f), with his Kerry teammate Paul Murphy.

No such difficulty for the Dr Crokes forwards up the other end. They were moving up the gears led in particular by the deadly accurate Tony Brosnan, who also netted the first goal of the afternoon.

Cian McMahon scored 0-02 from play.

Cian McMahon, David Shaw and Tom Doyle, who scored 2 points each from play, were also combining well, meaning 2007 All-Ireland winning manager Pat O’Shea’s men went in at half-time with a comfortable 1–09 to 0–03 lead.

Tom Doyle scoring one of his two points despite the attention of Tomas Holohan.

It was a well-deserved lead as the Killarney men had dominated the first half with an excellent midfield performance by Mark O’Shea providing the springboard.

Mark O’Shea, Gavin White, John Payne, Harry Potts and Tom Doyle.

Rathmore came out for the second half with it all to do. Dr Crokes maintained their advantage on the scoreboard as the teams traded points. Then, a beautifully struck ’45 by Shane Ryan sailed over for Rathmore followed by a couple of points seemed to give his teammates a lift.

Fionn Murphy with Rathmore’s 1st goal.

Rathmore substitutes Alan Dineen and Chrissy Spiers also added a little bit more urgency to the hosts’ attack and Fionn Murphy had the ball in the back of the net from close range after being set up by Shane Ryan.

Fionn Fitzgerald under pressure from the Rathmore press.

Rathmore were now pushing up on Dr Crokes kickouts with some success. The outcome of the game was never in doubt though, but it did make for a more exciting finish. Rathmore refusing to throw in the towel. They were rewarded when former Kerry captain Paul Murphy feed Andrew Moynihan who buried a cracker into the back of Shane Murphy’s net.

Andrew Moynihan scores Rathmore’s 2nd goal well into injury time.

Dr Crokes go on to meet Dingle in the 2024 Kerry Petroleum Senior Football Club Championship final at 3.30pm, Sunday 01^st September at Austin Stack Park, Tralee. Extra time will be played if necessary, with a reply if the teams are level after this extra time.

Mark O’Shea was Clubber.ie Man-of-the-Match.

The match can be watched back on Clubber.ie

Rathmore starting 15.

Rathmore scorers

Fionn Murphy 1 – 01, Shane Ryan 0 – 4, (0 – 03f, 0 – 01 ’45), Andrew Moynihan 1 – 00, Cian Dineen, Ciarán Collins, John Moynihan, Alan Dineen, Chrissy Spiers 0 – 01 each.