The gulf in quality was enormous at Ruislip yesterday as Dr Crokes secured an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Ballymun Kickhams on February 16th.
Two months on from winning their 14th London title, the Gaels’ lack of match practice was clearly evident. Dr Crokes, who were playing for the 11th time in 12 weeks, showed no signs of fatigue as they won easily.
Although Johnny Buckley pointed for Crokes inside the opening minute, Tír Chonaill Gaels actually got off to the kind of start they were hoping for, with a brace of points from Kevin McMenamin sending them into the lead.
Man of the match Kieran O’Leary hit their first goal, which was followed by another from Chris Brady in the 23rd minute that left a 10-point gap between the teams. Tír Chonaill Gaels were out of their depth and, just before half-time, Colm Cooper played in Brady for his second goal and the Munster champions took a 3-7 to 0-3 lead into the break.
With the contest already settled, the second half resembled a challenge match despite the best efforts of the home side.
TÍR CHONAILL GAELS: B McBrearty; T Gribben, D Harrington, B Collins; M McConville, E McConville, P Sherry (0-1); M Gottsche, C Doyle; E Mageean, F Horan, B Mitchell; C Wall, E O’Neill (0-2f), K McMenamin (0-3, 1f). Subs: C Boyle for Wall (19), L Kavanagh for Mageean (23), J McGrath for Mitchell (29), M McCoy for Kavanagh (46), A Concannon for Horan (50). DR CROKES: D Moloney; J Payne, M Moloney, F Fitzgerald; L Quinn (0-1), S Doolan, S Myers; A O’Donovan, J Buckley (0-1); K O’Leary (1-2), D Casey (0-1f), B Looney (0-1); C Brady (2-1, 0-1f), C Cooper (0-4, 2f), J Doolan. Subs: A Kenneally (0-1) for Looney (49), D O’Leary for Myers (54), G O’Shea for J Doolan (56), B Falvey for Casey (57), K Ward for Quinn (59). Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford).
