SAFC: Knocknagree strike late in thrilling derby with Kanturk but both teams move on
Knocknagree celebrate their win against Kanturk in the Bon Secours SAFC. Picture:: Larry Cummins
KNOCKNAGREE sent out another timely reminder of their quality by overcoming rivals Kanturk in a crunch Bon Secours SAFC Group A tussle that gripped a packed Dromtariffe.
They required a three-point win to retain their interest in the campaign and did so with a 67th-minute free from Anthony O’Connor after a titanic struggle for supremacy. That allowed Knocknagree progress to a quarter-final meeting against Beál Ath’n Ghaorthaidh. It's not a total disappointment for Kanturk, by virtue of a superior scoring total to O’Donovan Rossa, they take on Newcestown in the second quarter-final.
From an enthralling contest with hard graft, sheer heart and commitment on parade, a large attendance savoured the fare served up in the Duhallow derby. Kanturk entered the fray in the box seat with maximum points from their two previous outings yet both sides required a return from this intriguing encounter.
All importantly, Knocknagree put together a well-organised and efficient performance to enjoy a three-point win in a game of swaying fortunes.
In a repeat of the delayed 2020 Premier IFC Final when Kanturk and Knocknagree were contesting the showpiece occasion of this competition close to 10 months after their respective semi-final victories. Of course, Covid impacted the schedule before Knocknagree finished strongly in the decider and four unanswered points secured the silverware and senior A football status.
Though Kanturk incurred further final disappointment in a subsequent loss to Newmarket, they came good last season to better Bantry Blues to elevate to higher rankings where they created an impact in their previous outings against Fermoy and O'Donovan Rossa.
Knocknagree settled into the game quickly with points to Matthew Dilworth and Denis O’Connor. Steadily Kanturk got to grips with the situation, Ian Walsh obliged with a trio of points.
The Knocknagree response was quick and effective, Michael Mahoney set up Daniel O’Mahony for a smashing goal for a 1-2 to 0-3 advantage. Kanturk lifted their challenge, Ryan and Colin Walsh's points gained a stalemate.
Again Knocknagree regained the initiative, Denis O’Connor posting a pair, Kanturk thankful to custodian Ronan Cashman on timely interventions as his Knocknagree counterpart Pa Doyle pointed a 45 for a 1-6 to 0-7 interval grip.
On the resumption, Knocknagree lost Gary O’Connor to a black card but in the stop-start proceedings, scores became a premium, just a single added at either end courtesy of Eoghan McSweeney and Ian Walsh.
The tempo upped on a further exchange of points yet Kanturk appeared to gain the upper hand from points by Paul and Ian Walsh to nudge ahead. However, Knocknagree weren’t found wanting, a brilliant move involving McSweeney and Daniel O’Mahony set up Niall O’Connor for a cracking goal.
Kanturk replied with a Brian O’Sullivan point, Knocknagree prospects hanging on by a thread. Still, they threatened, Kanturk thankful to defender John McLoughlin for taking the ball off the line from a McSweeney effort.
The sides traded further points from Anthony O’Connor and Grantas Bucinskas with Kanturk losing O’Sullivan to a black card. Indeed Kanturk might well have wrapped the game with their best goaling opportunity saw Ian Walsh blast to the right of the upright.
That allowed Knocknagree a lifeline as O’Connor chipped in with a pointed free.
It made for a gripping conclusion, Knocknagree strove for another point to earn a quarter-final, it arrived in the seventh minute of added time, O’Connor converting a close in free to put three between the sides.
When the permutations were resolved, both sets of supporters were relieved for Kanturk and Knocknagree to remain involved in a hotly competitive championship.
A O’Connor 0-4 (0-3 f), D O’Mahony, N O’Connor 1-0 each, D O’Connor 0-3, M Dilworth 0-2, E McSweeney, P Doyle (45) 0-1 each.
I Walsh 0-7 (0-2 f), C Walsh, P Walsh 0-2 each, R Walsh, B O’Sullivan, G Bucinskas 0-1 each.
P Doyle; K Cronin, K Buckley, G O’Connor, T O’Connor, D O’Mahony, M Mahoney; D Moynihan, David O’Connor, M McSweeney, E McSweeney, Denis O’Connor, M Dilworth, N O’Connor, A O’Connor.
J Dennehy for M Dilworth (21 inj), M Doyle for K Cronin (45), T O’Mahony for M McSweeney (54).
R Cashman; J McLoughlin, J Browne; J McLoughlin, D Browne; J Browne, T Walsh, B O’Sullivan; P Walsh, Aidan Walsh; C Mullane, I Walsh, L McLoughlin; C Walsh, R Walsh, Alan Walsh.
G Buckinas for C Mullane (h-t), G Kenehen for R Walsh (44).
P O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).
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