Dr Crokes have been the dominant force in Munster club football over the past decade-and-a-half and have two All-Ireland titles to their name – but they’ve suffered a few heartbreaks too, including three defeats at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
1990/91
Having needed a replay to get past Clonmel Commercial of Tipperary to win their first Munster crown, Crokes fell at the first All-Ireland hurdle, beaten by 3-9 to 2-6 by Salthill of Galway, despite having home advantage in Killarney.
1991/92
The Munster title was comfortably retained with a 2-10 to 0-8 victory over Doonbeg of Clare. They met Galway opponents again, Corofin, but eased through by 3-4 to 1-5 in Tuam, before edging past Thomas Davis of Dublin in the St Patrick’s Day decider, by 1-11 to 0-13. Despite Danny Cooper (a brother of the legendary Colm) being sent off early in the second half, Crokes did enough, helped by Cavan native John Joe Martin failing to convert a penalty for the Dublin outfit.
2006/7
Back on the All-Ireland stage after a 15-year gap, Crokes had the exceptional talent of Colm ‘The Gooch’ Cooper in their ranks. Yet even his extraordinary ability was not enough to bring them a second national success. They needed a replay to get past Moorefield of Kildare in the semi-finals and then lost out at the second attempt against Crossmaglen Rangers.
There was controversy over the Armagh men’s last-gasp equaliser by Oisin McConville at Croke Park, in a 1-9 apiece draw, but Cross’ were convincing winners in the replay at O’Moore Park, by 0-13 to 1-5.
2011/12
Crossmaglen in Portlaoise again proved a bridge too far for Dr Crokes, this time in a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final encounter. The Kerry men started superbly, racing into a seven-point lead, with Cross’ scoring only one point in reply – but Oisin McConville teeing up Michael McNamee for a goal sparked their revival. The Rangers bossed the second half, with Stephen Kernan netting before he was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident. Crokes briefly levelled through an opportunist goal from substitute Chris Brady but Aaron Kernan fired a third Rangers goal as the Ulster champs saw out a brilliant 3-8 to 2-8 victory.
2012/13
Brady was in the starting side when Dr Crokes made an immediate return to the All-Ireland semi-finals, but he had a penalty saved which was a key moment in their defeat by Ballymun Kickham’s at Semple Stadium. The Dubliners were on top from early on and Philly McMahon set up Ted Furman in the 12th minute to net what proved to be the only goal of the game. Ballymun went six clear, but Crokes reduced that gap to just two with 10 minutes remaining – however, the Leinster champs held on for a 1-10 to 0-9 victory.
2013/14
Back for a third consecutive crack at the All-Ireland, the Kerry men suffered a terrible early blow in their semi-final against Castlebar with Colm Cooper forced off by a bad injury inside 20 minutes. O’Moore Park again proved unlucky for the Crokes, with Castlebar Mitchel’s converting a far higher proportion of their chances, including Paddy Durcan netting two goals in the 3-13 to 1-11 win. Cooper’s replacement, Michael Burns on as a teenager, set up Kieran O’Leary for the Crokes goal and the Kerrymen made it a one-point game heading into the final quarter, only for the Mitchel’s to cruise to victory.
2016/17
The silver jubilee for the 1992 team finally brought the silverware Crokes wanted, the Andy Merrigan Cup back in Killarney. First they ended their semi-final hoodoo in some style, beating Corofin by 2-11 to 0-8 at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
The final was a different affair, a dour struggle past 14-man Slaughtneil, culminating in Crokes playing ‘keep ball’ for almost four minutes. The south Derry side had gone in front through a 13th minute Padraig Cassidy goal – but then he was sent off in first half injury time for retaliation.
Colm Cooper had netted before the break and Crokes made the extra man count to ensure ‘The Gooch’ completed his set of medals with a 1-9 to 1-7 win.
2018/19
Dr Crokes suffered another early setback in their semi-final against shock Leinster champions Mullinalaghta, with Johnny Buckley sent off shortly after the Longford men netted their second goal – but Tony Brosnan guided the 14 men to a 0-18 to 2-7 win in Thurles.
However, reigning champions Corofin proved far too good in the final, first half goals from Jason Leonard and Gary Sice at the end of excellent moves helping the Galway men to a 2-16 to 0-10 victory.
