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Dr Crokes attacker Colm Cooper hit a crucial goal in the Kerry SFC today. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
Local GAA

Semi-final stage reached in Kerry SFC

Dr Crokes are still in line to maintain their status as senior football title-holders in the Kingdom.

DR CROKES ARE still on course for a third successive Kerry senior football title after securing a quarter-final victory over Austin Stacks this afternoon.

In a game played at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, the Killarney-based club trailed by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval after a half where Austin Stacks suffered the setback of seeing William Kirby sent-off. In the second-half Dr Crokes took over with the critical score arriving in the 34th minute when Colm Cooper found the net for the only goal of the game.

By the 48th Dr Crokes lead by 1-9 to 0-6 and they had kept Austin Stacks scoreless since half-time. Brian Looney and Kieran O’Leary were amongst their point-scorers in the second-half as they held on to secure an eight-point victory.

YouTube Credit: JC O’Shea

Dr Crokes will join Laune Rangers, St Kieran’s and Dingle in the last four – the draw for which will be made tomorrow afternoon – after they all claimed quarter-final wins yesterday.

Mike Frank Russell was in inspirational from for Laune Rangers as they proved empathic victors over Rathmore by 3-13 to 2-4 yesterday in Fitzgerald Stadium. Russell fired 1-6 overall as the Killorglin based club built on a 0-8 to 1-2 half-time advantage to triumph after John Buckley had struck an early goal for Rathmore.

Rathmore got an early second-half boost when Eoin Lawlor found the net from the penalty spot but then Laune Rangers took over. Pa Joy, Russell and Jeremy O’Callaghan all struck goals to help them move ahead by 12 points by the finish.

St Kieran’s booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 1-21 to 2-11 victory over Kenmare at Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday. St Kieran’s raced into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead after nine minutes and that powerful start paved the way for their victory. They were in front by 1-10 to 1-5 at half-time and enjoyed a 1-20 to 1-12 advantage with four minutes remaining before Kenmare notched a late consolation goal.

Last night in Austin Stack Park, Dingle were forced to withstand a late fightback from Feale Rangers before prevailing by 2-12 to 1-13 in their quarter-final meeting. The winners lead by 2-8 to 0-7 at half-time with Billy O’Connor raising two green flags and Paul Geaney amongst their point-scorers.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Dingle were still in a commanding position as they lead by 2-11 to 0-9. However Feale Rangers, inspired by county U21 Conor Cox, fought back and Noel Kennelly grabbed a goal as they struck 1-4 without reply to reduce the deficit to the minimum. Yet Dingle ultimately held on to qualify for the last four.

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