Quinn the hero as Crokes survive

MUNSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL Dr Crokes 2-11 Aherlow 0-9:CENTRE BACK Luke Quinn was the unlikely hero as Dr Crokes of Killarney survived a hectic battle with the Tipp champions to power home in extra time in a thriller at Cashel yesterday.

With a shock exit facing the red-hot favourites, Quinn twice surged forward in injury-time to shoot points that forced extra time and denied Aherlow a famous win.

Then, in the fifth minute of extra time he again burst forward and his delivery from 50 metres slipped through the fingers of Aherlow goalkeeper Brian Moroney for the goal that sent Crokes on their way to the final.

Aherlow had their opponents on the back foot for most of the hour with a hugely committed effort spearheaded by the Grogan brothers, Séamus and Barry. They led 0-3 to 0-1 after five minutes, and though Crokes were level four minutes later, Aherlow eased into a 0-6 to 0-3 interval lead.

Crokes stunned Aherlow in the eighth minute of the second half when Colm “Gooch” Cooper and Daithí Casey linked up to create the chance for Andrew Kenneally. His dipping effort skidded past Moroney for a levelling goal.

Once more the Tipp champs refused to buckle. Two points by Barry Grogan had them back in front and, with the game entering injury-time, he was wide with a 20-metre free from an acute angle.

Then came Quinn’s rescue act.

In extra time Quinn again showed the way for Crokes with his goal and Johnny Buckley added a point. Sub Kieran O’Leary kicked three points for Crokes in the second period of extra time.

DR CROKES: C Cremin; J Payne, M Moloney, D O'Leary; S Doolan, L Quinn (1-2), S Myers; B McMahon, J Buckley (0-3); A Kenneally (1-0), E Brosnan, B Looney (0-1); C Cooper (0-1), D Casey (0-1), C Brady. Subs: K O'Leary (0-3)for Brady, A O'Donovan for Looney, S O'Neill for Kenneally, B Looney for McMahon, N O'Connell for Brosnan.

AHERLOW: B Moroney; M O'Brien, M Hanley, Ciarán McDonald; Chris McDonald, C Dillon, S Mullins; J Hennessy, S Moloney (0-3); B O'Brien (0-1), S Grogan, L Coskeran; T Hanley (0-1), B Grogan (0-4), D Peters. Subs: C O'Shea for Hanley; T Fahey for B O'Brien; B O'Brien for Coskeran; T Hanley for M O'Brien.

Referee: R Hickey(Clare).