Holders Castlehaven defeated by Dr Crokes in Munster quarter-final clash 

Dr Crokes: 1-15 

Castlehaven: 1-8 

Castlehaven fell to a seven-point defeat to Dr Crokes in the AIB Munster Club SFC quarter-final at Lewis Road in Killarney on Sunday afternoon.

The recently crowned back-to-back Cork Premier SFC winners and reigning provincial champions will be bitterly disappointed with how this one panned out. They only trailed by a point at the break, but besides a late goal, they could only manage three points in the second half.

Dr Crokes were deserving winners, better with possession and were more clinical when they got their chances. Their goal at the start of the second half set them on their way to victory. 

The Haven’s cause wasn’t helped by illness and an injury to Rory Maguire and Damien Cahalane in the build-up to the match, with the latter coming on after 40 minutes. The West Cork side also had to play with 14 players for the final 10 minutes after Brian Hurley was sent off. 

In front of a huge crowd, Dr Crokes started better with frees from Tony Brosnan and Micheál Burns settling their side as Castlehaven struggled to gain possession early on.

Two outstanding long-range points from Cathal Maguire and Andrew Whelton drew Seanie Cahalane’s side level after seven lively minutes of action. Brian Hurley nudged the Haven ahead with a great free from an acute angle only for Brosnan to do something similar for his side. Dr Crokes created the first goal scoring opportunity after 14 minutes when Mark O’Shea set up the on rushing Charlie Keating but from close in, the defender skewed his effort wide.

The exciting encounter ebbed and flowed as was expected with the teams sharing the next four points, 0-5 apiece with four minutes to the break. Keating was causing the Haven problems and it was his point in added time that gave Dr Crokes a slender advantage at the break, 0-6 to 0-5.

The Kerry side got off to a dream start three minutes into the new half. Gavin White gave a clever ball to Cian McMahon and the latter was fouled by Mark Collins and a penalty was given. Brosnan dispatched his kick to the bottom corner of the net, 1-6 to 0-5. Dr Crokes tacked on two points before Castlehaven got their first score of the half 13 minutes in when Thomás O'Mahony pointed followed by a Brian Hurley effort, 1-8 to 0-7.

The momentum was with the West Cork side as they also had a goal chance in between those efforts, but Collins’ effort was well saved by Dr Crokes goalkeeper Shane Murphy.

Kieran O’Leary, just on the pitch a matter of seconds, restored Dr Crokes’ five-point buffer with 15 minutes remaining. The Haven were then reduced to 14 players after 50 minutes when Brian Hurley received a straight red card for an off the ball incident.

Pat O’Shea’s side were in command with the extra player and points from Maidhcí Lynch and Brosnan gave Dr Crokes a comfortable lead, 1-11 to 0-7.

Champions die hard and the Haven threw the kitchen sink at their opposition in the closing stages with a couple of goal chances. Conor Cahalane kicked a point before they were awarded a penalty after 60 minutes after a foul in a crowded penalty area. Damien Cahalane stepped up and finished the ball expertly into the top corner of the net.

There would be no denying Dr Crokes though who hit the last four points to advance.

Scorers for Dr Crokes: T Brosnan 1-7 (0-3 f, 1-0 pen), M Burns (0-1 f), K O’Leary 0-2 each, C Keating, M Potts, C McMahon, M Lynch 0-1 each.

Castlehaven: B Hurley 0-3 (0-2 f), Damien Cahalane 1-0 pen, T O’Mahony, J O’Neill, A Whelton, C Cahalane, C Maguire 0-1 each.

DR CROKES: S Murphy; M Lynch, F Fitzgerald, E Looney; C Keating, G White, B Looney; M O’Shea, G O’Shea; T Doyle, M Potts, C McMahon; D Shaw, T Brosnan, M Burns.

Subs: K O’Leary for C Keating (44), J Payne for T Doyle (50), D Casey for C McMahon (51), D Naughton for M Potts (56).

CASTLEHAVEN: Darragh Cahalane; J O’Driscoll, T O’Mahony, J O’Regan; J Walsh, R Minihane, J O’Neill; M Collins, A Whelton; B Hurley, C Maguire, J Cahalane; S Browne, M Hurley, C Cahalane.

Subs: Damien Cahalane for J Walsh (40), C O’Driscoll for S Browne (47), M Maguire for R Minihane, R Walsh for J O’Driscoll (both 52), C O’Sullivan for A Whelton (56).

Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).