They say goals win games and that was certainly the case in tonight’s Senior Club Championship clash in Spa. 

Dr Crokes welcomed back 6 of their Kerry Players in a marked difference to the starting lineup from the County League fixture a few weeks ago. 

Spa saw the return of Dara Moynihan to their lineup fresh from his All Ireland win & also the return of the influential Dan O Donoghue home from Australia. 

The first score of the game came in the 3rd minute from the boot of Evan Cronin, a point from play following a nice move worked by Dan O Donoghue, this was preceded by two wides by Dr Crokes Tony Brosnan & Brian Looney. 

It didn’t take Dr Crokes long to respond with Gavin o Shea netting a goal in the 4th minute with a super finish to the roof of the net. 

Spa responded immediately with a good point from play by Daragh Moynihan, followed by 5 unanswered points 2 by Cian Tobin (frees) and Daragh Moynihan again from play in the 15th minute, David Spillane from play in the 16th minute & another free from Cian Tobin in the 18th minute to leave the scoreline Spa 0-7 to Dr Crokes 1-0. 

Man of the match Tony Brosnan started to come to the fore for Dr Crokes with a point either side of a 2 pointed free followed by a point from David Shaw in the 24th minute to give Dr Crokes the lead 1-05 to Spa 0-7. 

Evan Cronin pointed from play to level the score in the 30th minute but a pointed free by Tony Brosnan in the 32nd minute gave Dr Crokes the lead going in at the break Spa 0-8 Dr Crokes 1-06.

Dr Crokes opened the scoring in the second half with a point by Tony Brosnan in the 34th minute, Spa responded with a well taken point from play by Mike Foley. 

Brian Looney pointed from play in the 38th minute & again Spa responded with a point from play by Evan Cronin in the 43rd minute. The score now Spa 0-10 Dr Crokes 1-08. 

Alex Hennigan replaced Tom Doyle for Dr Crokes and Liam Spillane replaced Ciaran Spillane in the 44th minute. 

The decisive period of the game occurred next, David Shaw pointed for Dr Crokes, Spa missed a goal opportunity & Dr Crokes netted a goal from Cian McMahon giving Dr Crokes a five-point lead in the 47th minute. 

Tony Brosnan scored from play in the 48th minute & Niall McCarthy responded with a fine point from play for Spa in the 50th minute. 

Dr Crokes followed with two points from play, Tony Brosnan in the 53rd minute & Micheal Burns in the 54th minute giving Dr Crokes a 7-point lead, Spa 0-11 Dr Crokes 2-12. 

Spa responded with pointed free from Cian Tobin in the 55th minute followed by a point from play by Aidan Cronin in the 56th minute.

But the final two scores of the game came from Dr Crokes to leave the final score Spa 0-13 Dr Crokes 2-14. 

Dr Crokes take the points in what has been a difficult week for the club duly marked on the night by an impeccably observed moment of silence for the late Jamie Doolan.  

Spa, although defeated, will take a lot of positives from the game, dust themselves down and prepare for Rathmore in 2 weeks.

Match Report: Mike Doolan