DR CROKES BOSS Noel O’Leary has described Colm Cooper’s sending-off in yesterday’s AIB Munster senior club football final as ‘nonsense’ and criticised the reaction of the crowd in the Gaelic Grounds when he was dismissed.
Cooper was shown the line after a second yellow card was brandished by referee Conor Lane with six minutes remaining. Dr Crokes recovered from that setback to claim a one-point win but O’Leary was not happy with Cooper’s dismissal
“That’s only child’s play. He’s a lovely footballer. It was a small thing. It’s nonsense to me to give a yellow card. There’s worse things happening in football and hurling.
“What makes matters worse is people booing and ten minutes later they want to stand with him and take a picture. Make up your mind.”
O’Leary had expressed concerns earlier in this season that Dr Crokes were becoming too comfortable. But yesterday they endured a battle before displaying the steel to triumph.
“The character that the boys showed, they stood up as men and that’s what we want. Today was a test. The last two games, we’ve played inside in our own field. I said it afterwards that we had to come out of our own comfort zone. Today we did.”
The perception of Cratloe as a team better regarded for their hurling exploits was not something that O’Leary had bought into.
“Fair play to Cratloe, they’re a great team. A fella that puts on a pair of boots and a jersey deserves credit. They’re a serious team. They play hurling one Sunday and come back out to play football. The GAA don’t appreciate these fellas at all and that’s what’s wrong.”
Dr Crokes boss Noel O’Leary
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
As they basked in the glow of victory, Dr Crokes now have to consider how to maintain their form for the All-Ireland series. A semi-final tilt against Castlebar Mitchels awaits them next February.
“Trying to get it right now is what we have to do. Go hiding where no one can see us for the next couple of months. That’s where we’ve to go. We’ve the East Kerry next Saturday and then Castlebar.
“But this is great. We’ve never done three-in-a-row in the club. I’m delighted for the players as they’ve put a lot of work into it.”
