Kerrigan: Crokes are a different animal now

November 25, 2017

Paul Kerrigan gets his shot away for Nemo Rangers

Nemo Rangers ace Paul Kerrigan says Dr Crokes are "a different animal" to when the two sides last clashed in the Munster club SFC final seven years ago.

Tomorrow's provincial decider at Pairc Ui Rinn (throw-in 2pm) sees Nemo, who have won Munster more than any other club (15 times), bidding to upset 3/1 odds against a Crokes side gunning for their fifth title in seven years down south.

Speaking to the Irish Independent this week, Kerrigan recalled a time when the two used to play challenge matches but stopped once Crokes began to enter the province as county champions.  

"They're definitely a different animal (now), they have a very solid brand of football. Some of the younger teams might go down to play them in a challenge and it's the same," the Cork captain told the Irish Independent.

"I remember Pat O'Shea (Crokes manager), a few years ago, saying that was something they wanted to develop and they've really put their own stamp on it.

"They are a very good team and they have a very good squad as well. At one stage they had (Colm) Cooper, (Kieran) O'Leary, a couple more in the forward line. Johnny Buckley was in the forwards when he started first, Brian Looney.

"Four forwards there - who are you going to mark? Where are you going to start? They have kind of gone younger again now - (Tony) Brosnan, Gavin O'Shea. They're going young again, so we'll have our work cut out.

"They're like ourselves. They've seen the older lads winning and probably want to get some themselves."


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