Spa began their senior club championship campaign against neighbours Dr Crokes in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The game was quite competitive until the second Crokes goal at the end of the third quarter, with Crokes dominating the game from there.

Spa were first off the mark with an Evan Cronin free within the first minute, and David Shaw replied with the first score for Crokes. Cian Tobin and a brilliant point from Dan O’Donoghue followed before Micheál Burns rattled the net in the 9th minute. Spa quickly levelled with Mike Foley splitting the posts from an incredible angle, but Crokes added four before the water break, two from Burns and two from Tony Brosnan, to lead by 1-5 to 0-4.

A second Crokes goal was almost on the cards but Kieran O’Leary’s effort was just a little two high. Evan Cronin and Mark O’Shea exchanged points before Crokes were again threatening the Spa goal, Tony Brosnan’s shot hitting the upright and cleared. Brendan Falvey extended the Crokes advantage but in the 27th minute Evan Cronin finished the first Spa goal to put just three between the sides. Crokes had yet another opportunity on the Spa goal, Tony Brosnan running right at James Devane but opted to punch over the crossbar. At half time, Spa were trailing by 1-5 to 1-9.

Crokes were taking full advantage of the mark rule and Micheál Burns (2), Tony Brosnan and Kieran O’Leary all added their names to the scoresheet, Spa replying with just one point from Mike McCarthy. The second Spa goal came in the 38th minute, Mike Foley doing well to break through the Crokes defence and buried the ball in the back of the net to make it Spa 2-6 Dr Crokes 1-13. Mike Foley and Evan Cronin swapped points with Tony Brosnan (2) and Kieran O’Leary before Crokes were again looking at goal, a high dangerous ball landed into the goalmouth but James Devane knocked it out for a ‘45, which was converted by Shane Murphy. At the second half water break, it was Spa 2-8 to Crokes 1-17.

Niall McCarthy kicked over the next Spa score but in the 46th minute Mark O’Shea kicked from 70 yards out, the ball flying past three players and landing at the back of the Spa net. Tony Brosnan and Micheál Burns added two more points and Shane Cronin did threaten the Crokes goal but Shane Murphy blocked the shot. A Spa penalty soon followed, Niall McCarthy held in the square as the ball was dropped in, with Evan Cronin misfiring and sending the ball over the crossbar. Cian Murphy did get close on goal also, Shane Murphy stopping his effort too. Final scores from Jordan Kiely, Tom Doyle and David Shaw closed the game out on a score-line of Spa 2-10 Dr Crokes 2-22.

Spa will travel to Kenmare next Sunday for Round 2 before we welcome Templenoe to Spa the following week in the third and final round.

Spa: James Devane, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Shane Lynch, Shane Cronin, Dan O’Donoghue (0-1), Gary Vaughan, Liam Kearney, Ciarán Spillane, Niall O’Mahony, Mike Foley (1-2 (1f)), Dara Moynihan, Niall McCarthy (0-1), Evan Cronin (1-4 (2f)), Cian Tobin (0-1). Subs: Mike McCarthy (0-1), Cian Murphy, Eoghan Cronin, Ryan O’Carroll

Dr Crokes: Shane Murphy (0-1 ‘45), John Payne, David Naughton, Fionn Fitzgerald, Mark Cooper, Gavin White, Michael Potts, Mark O’Shea (1-1), Cillian Regan, Brendan Falvey (0-1), Micheál Burns (1-5 (1f)), Brian Looney, Tony Brosnan (0-7 (2f)), David Shaw (0-2), Kieran O’Leary (0-3). Subs: Terry Sparling, Jordan Kiely (0-1), Tom Doyle (0-1), Jason Kerins, Alan O’Sullivan

Referee: Brendan Brosnan (Glenflesk)

Photos: Anne Holland