Sport

Cooper's class helps Dr Crokes ease into semi-final

Dr Crokes (Kerry) 2-13 Monaleen (Limerick) 1-3:  COLM COOPER turned on the magic yet again as he inspired Dr Crokes to a resounding…

Mon Nov 08 2010 - 00:00

Dr Crokes (Kerry) 2-13 Monaleen (Limerick) 1-3: COLM COOPER turned on the magic yet again as he inspired Dr Crokes to a resounding victory in the quarter-final of the AIB Munster club senior football championship yesterday

Now the Kerry kingpins face an away trip to play the Tipperary champions in the semis.

The new Kerry captain was in scintillating form for Kingdom champions, Dr Crokes, as he scored 2-5, including two first-half goals, as the Killarney club blitzed Limerick champions Monaleen at Lewis Road, Killarney, yesterday.

Cooper’s two goals helped Dr Crokes into a 2-8 to 1-2 half-time lead, and though they failed to maintain their fine form in the second half, the Kerry side was full value for a deserved win.

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Alongside Cooper, Dáithí Casey caught the eye with his strong showing at full forward, while the Crokes back line, as has been the case all season long, were just too good for the opposition, with Monaleen managing just 1-3 including a very fortuitous first half goal.

That goal, credited to Monaleen captain Mike Crowley, saw the Limerick side jump into an early 1-0 to 0-1 lead. But that was the only time they led.

The deadly double act of Cooper and Casey combined for all but one of Dr Crokes’ first-half total of 2-8 and, by the 15th minute, Crokes held a 1-5 to 0-1 lead, with Cooper’s sublime one-two with Brian Looney leading to his opening goal.

Monaleen then hit two points to cut the gap to three but Crokes finished the half very strongly, as Cooper added 1-1, with Casey and Eoin Brosnan scoring a point apiece.

Dr Crokes led 2-8 to 1-2 at the break.

Crokes had to play without star midfielder Ambrose O’Donovan who is out until Christmas as he recovers from injuries picked up in a car crash last week while Kerry senior Kieran O’Leary continues his recuperation from a fractured bone in his leg and might well be ready in two weeks.

The same three first-half scorers – Brosnan, Casey and Cooper – were all on target in the first five minutes of the second half, as Crokes cruised into a convincing 2-11 to 1-2 advantage.

Cormac Joyce-Power scored Monaleen’s sole point of the second half as the game petered out, with Brian Looney and Cooper adding further scores for Dr Crokes.

It was a mere stroll in the park for the Kerry champions who have to play the East Kerry O’Donoghue Cup final on Saturday next and are also through to the county league final.

The Killarney club will now add the Munster club semi-final against Tipp champions Aherlow to their busy upcoming schedule.

DR CROKES: K Cremin; J Payne, M Moloney, D O’Leary; S Doolan, L Quinn, S Myers; B McMahon, J Buckley; A Kenneally; E Brosnan (0-2), B Looney (0-1); C Cooper (2-5, four frees), D Casey (0-5, three frees), C Brady. Subs used: N O’Connell for J Payne (54); S O’Neill for C Brady (54); J Jones for B McMahon (56); K McMahon for D O’Leary (59).

MONALEEN: D O’Sullivan; D Bourke, P King, F Nash; E Keating, B Fitzgerald, P Quinn; B Geary, P Kinnerk; P Russell; L Kavanagh, C Joyce-Power (0-1); M Gavin (0-1 free), J O’Brien, M Crowley (1-1). Subs used: JP Stokes for P Kinnerk (52); C Hickey for M Gavin; S Leonard for C Joyce Power (60).

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)