East Kerry claimed their first title in 20 years as they put champions Dr Crokes to the sword in the Kerry Club Football Final yesterday.
East Kerry led early on thanks to two Mike Foley points and another from Evan Cronin and despite two Tony Brosnan points in the 12th and 14th minutes, David Clifford made it 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter when he blazed just over the bar.
But it was his brother Paudie who was running the show and Foley increased the lead with his third point.
Champions never lie down though and points from Mark O’Shea and Brosnan cut the gap as the first half progressed.
The Clifford brothers and Cronin extended the winners lead before Brosnan brought the half to a close with a free as East Kerry led 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.
The second half was a bad tempered affair and East Kerry lost Pa Warren to a second yellow card.
That didn’t stop the Clifford brothers though as they combined for David to find the net and the lead was suddenly seven points.
Mark O’Shea then picked up a second yellow and after two more East Kerry points, Darragh Roche ended the game as a contest with a second goal in the 45th minute.
Gavin White replied with a goal for Dr Crokes within two minutes, but it was mere consolation as Mike Moloney was also sent off for a second yellow card offence on David Clifford.
Crokes, with the exception of Shane Murphy, Fionn Fitzgerald, Tony Brosnan and the outstanding Gavin White were never at the races as East Kerry ended their 20 year famine.
EAST KERRY: J. Devane; C. O’Donoghue, J. Sherwood, N. Donohue; D. O’Donoghue, S. Cronin, P. Warren; L. Kearney, R. Buckley; E. Cronin (0-4), P. Clifford (0-1), B. O’Donoghue; D. Clifford (1-3, 0-1f), D. Roche (1-2, 0-1f), M. Foley (0-3).
Subs: D. Spillane for B. O’Donoghue (59); P. Doyle (0-1) for M. Foley (60+1);
D. Brosnan for S. Cronin (60+2); P. de Brun for D. Roche, M. McCarthy for E. Cronin (both 60+5).
DR CROKES: S. Murphy; J. Payne, F. Fitzgerald, M. Moloney; D. O’Leary, G. White (1-1), M. Potts; J. Buckley, M. O’Shea (0-1); M. Burns, G. O’Shea, B. Looney (c); K. O’Leary (0-1), D. Casey, T. Brosnan (0-4, 1f).
Subs: D. Naughton for G. O’Shea (41); A. o’Sullivan for D. O’Leary (46); J. Griffin for B. Looney (49); P. Clarke for M. Potts (56); B. falvey for M. Burns,
C. O’regan for J. Payne (both 60+2).
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