TAME CROKES BOW OUT OF SFC

The Summer arrived today but, alas, our interest in the Dublin SFC and any hopes of Autumn joy ended on a balmy evening in the resplendent Round Towers' grounds in Clondalkin.  An excellent Oliver Plunketts team dominated the first half when Crokes were at their most sluggish to lead 1-9 to 1-3 at the break.  After a bright start, the inordinate number of unforced errors by a youthful Crokes had the large support in a quandry and the mid-game chatter focused on the mood in the dressing-room and the undoubted backlash that would follow.  Unlike the incredible 2nd half reversal against Brigids in Parnell Park last year, there was to be no fairytale ending this time.  An improved performance was delivered and the Northside men were hanging on at the end, especially after Ross McConnell was black-carded some 10 mins from the end.  Yet, despite a Crokes penalty miss, the gap was just too big and the OPs won out more comfortably than the scoreline might suggest on a scoreline of 3-10 to 2-11.  In truth, Kilmacud were second best for much of a night when little went right for them and an impressive Plunketts outfit march on.  An ironic twist to the night saw 4 members of the squad emerge victorious from the weekly Club Lotto draw in Glenalbyn - poor consolation gan dabht!!