[caption id="attachment_68287" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Dr Crokes goalkeeper Alan Kelly and Andrew Kenneally lift captain Luke Quinn after the Munster Club Senior Football Championship Final. "]
DR CROKES have set up a mouth-watering All-Ireland Club Senior Football championship semi-final clash with Crossmaglen following an entertaining 3-14 to 2-10 Munster final success over UCC at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney on Sunday.
The second All-Ireland semi-final will feature St Brigid's from Roscommon against the winners of the Leinster final between St Brigid's from Dublin and Westmeath's Garrycastle. St Brigid's (Roscommon) made certain of their last four spot by overcoming Fulham Irish (London) by 1-12 to 0-7 in Ruislip.
Yet again, Dublin's St Brigid's were involved in a titanic struggle. On this occasion, they needed extra-time before getting the better of Laois champions Portlaoise by 2-16 to 1-15.
Garrycastle had no such worries. They had four points to spare as they saw off the challenge of a youthful Athy (Kildare) side by 1-10 to 1-6 in the other Leinster semi-final.
Perhaps though the most intriguing encounter was the match-up of Kerry's Dr Crokes and Cork champions UCC in Killarney. For one thing, most of the UCC line-up that won the Cork title was made up of Kerry players.
For another, two of them, Daithi Casey and Johnny Buckley were now playing for Dr Crokes. So, there was no lack of familiarity.
What's more, UCC were on a 16-match winning run, so were quite entitled to fancy their chances. Then again, they were up against a Dr Crokes outfit absolutely determined to make up for last year's Munster final defeat by Nemo Rangers.
But early on Dr Crokes appeared to be quite a bit of trouble. The students started at a fierce pace with Stephen O'Brien's 19th minute goal putting them 1-4 to 0-2 clear.
That though was as good as it got for the students. Almost immediatedly, Dr Crokes struck back with two goals of their own from Kieran O'Leary and Daithi Casey, efforts which enabled the Kerry champions go in 2-4 to 1-6 ahead.
Once Colm "Gooch" Cooper added three points early in the second half, UCC were always fighting a losing battle. Casey went on to be the top scorer against his UCC colleagues, finishing with 2-3.
He reflected back on last year's defeat to Nemo Rangers as the main reason for the victory, stating: "We let ourselves down against Nemo Rangers. The defeat really hurt us because we didn't do ourselves justice."
UCC manager Paul O'Keeffe had no complaints, stressing: "I thought we did a lot of good work in the opening 15 minutes and were on top. We were exactly where we wanted to be when we were five points up but, unfortunately, we then conceded two quick goals and lost our focus."
Most of the drama on the football front was centered on Parnell Park where St Brigid's from Dublin just about got the better of Portlaoise after extra-time. The sides were level at 1-13 apiece at the end of normal time.
It swung one way and then the other. Outsiders Portlaoise deserved great credit as they probably played the better football in normal time and led for long periods.
St. Brigid's knew they were in a game when Colm Parkinson scored a 12th minute goal for Portlaoise, enabling them to go 1-3 to 0-2 in front. From then on, it was a fiercely contested battle with St Brigid's eventually taking a 1-13 to 1-2 lead as the game went into injury time.
But in the fourth minute of added time Barry Fitzgerald landed the equalizing point. Eventually, it took a goal from Philly Ryan in extra-time to give St Brigid's some breathing space.
As good as Ryan's goal was, the real hero for the Dublin champions in what was an enthralling encounter was defender Sean Murray for some old fashioned high fielding. Paddy Andrews with 1-4 also made a significant contribution.
St. Brigid's manager Gerry McEnree paid tribute to Murray, saying: "He was unbelievable under the high ball. And not only did he come down, he made 30-40 year runs three or four times."
By contrast, Garrycastle's 1-10 to 1-6 victory over Athy at Newbridge was much more low key. Experience proved to be the difference as the Dolan brothers Dessie and Gary played major roles.
It was Gary's 56th minute goal which proved decisive for Garrycastle. But the young Athy side made a real fight of it and look to be a side with a real future.
In London, St Brigid's from Roscommon were helped by the sending off of Fulham midfielder Lorcan Murray just before half-time in their 1-12 to 0-7 victory.
There was no possibility of an upset after that. Cathal McHugh finished as St Brigid's top scorer with 1-3, while Frankie Dolan contributed 0-4, two of which came from frees.
Running power helps Na Piarsaigh to title
NA PIARSAIGH ended a 17-year wait for a Limerick side to win the Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship by defeating Crusheen from Clare in the replayed final at Semple Stadium on Sunday.
In the end, Na Piarsaigh got home by 1-13 to 0-9 but it was only after another fierce battle between two well-matched teams. The extra running power of the young Na Piarsiagh side was probably the difference.
They outscored their rivals by 1-7 to no score without reply in the final 15 minutes. Previously, a determined Crusheen outfit had led by three points and looked quite capable of holding on.
But everything was to change in those final 15 minutes. Normally, the 18-yeard-old Shane Dowling has been the player to deliver the goods for the Limerick champions but on Sunday it was the 19-year-old substitute Adrian Breen.
He finished with 1-3 as Crusheen struggled to stay with their Limerick rivals in those closing stages. Dowling, by his high standards, had one of his quieter days, contributing two points from frees, while another of the rising young Limerick stars Kevin Downes struck two points from play.
Na Piarsaigh manager Sean Stack, a Clareman, commented: "We knew that we would have a serious chance if we were in contention at the 45 minute mark.
"To beat Crusheen is the ultimate because they are a very serious team." Skipper Kiaran Birmingham added in his victory speech: "We're known for our rugby in Limerick but now we will be known for our hurling too."
Crusheen manager Michael Browne had no complaints, pointing out that Na Piarsiagh were just that bit fitter and sharper in the closing stages.
Howlett injury hits Munster
MUNSTER'S Heineken Cup chances have been dealt a major blow following an Achilles tendon injury to Doug Howlett.
The All-Black wing, who has been in outstanding form this season, had to retire close to the end of Munster's 19-13 Rabo-Direct Pro 12 League away defeat to the Ospreys. The expectation is that he will face a long stint on the sidelines.
More will be know when he undergoes a scan but he is certain to miss Munster's two key Heineken Cup pool matches against Llanelli Scarlets over the next few weeks. There's no question that a player of his quality will be badly missed.
For once, Munster were unable to dig out a late victory. Having brought on a lot of their top players in the final quarter, they applied tremendous pressure on the Welsh side.
As coach Tony McGahan put it: "We set up the opportunity to take it at the end but through our own inaccuracy we just couldn't finish the deal."
Ronan O'Gara and Paul O'Connell were among those brought on. Earlier, Munster had lead 10-6 at the inverval only to lose their way in the third quarter.
O'Gara did reduce the deficit to 16-13 with a penalty but, on this occasion, Munster just could not pull out a late victory.
Leinster had no such difficulties, despite fielding a weakened side for the Pro 12 game against Cardiff Blues at the RDS on Friday night. They gave a hugely impressive performance, scoring five tries in a 52-9 victory.
Wing Dave Kearney, a brother of international full-back Rob, got two, while prop Nathan White, out-half Ian Madigan and scrum-half Isaac Boss also crossed for tries. Coach Joe Schmidt had every reason to feel delighted as his team prepare for a Heineken Cup clash with Bath this weekend.
Leinster now move to the top of the table by virtue of their bonus point ahead of the Ospreys. Munster are still third, while Ulster moved closer to mid table after an important 24-17 Ravenhill victory over Llanelli Scarlets.
International flanker Stephen Ferris was the hero, scoring two tries in a man-of-the match performance. Sadly Connacht's problem continue, as they went down 15-13 to Italian outfit Treviso at the Sportsground.
Meanwhile, Munster and Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer has agreed a three-month loan deal with top English side Saracens.
Because of the emergence of Conor Murray and the return to fitness of Tomas O'Leary, Stringer has found himself down the pecking order at Munster. The agreement with Saracens would give him important game time which suits both the player and Munster.
Although now 33, Stringer is still one of the best distributors in the game. He was recently deemed good enough to play for the Barbarians against Australia.
For their part, Saracens are delighted to have him as they have lost two scrum-halves Neil de Kock and Richard Wigglesworth through injury.
Carofin slapped with big fine
ALWAYS football champions Carofin have been fined €5,100 following incidents at the end of their Connacht Club Senior Football Championship final defeat by St Brigid's from Roscommon two weeks ago.
What's more, Carofin forward Justin Burke and selector Michael Donnellan have been suspended for four weeks. The Connacht Council launched an investigation after referee Liam Devenney was abused when he attempted to leave the field.
Devenney had booked 14 players in a controversial encounter which St Brigid's won by 0-11 to 0-10.
