SAFC: Exciting match-ups as semi-finalists bid for final place

TWO from the Carbery Division and two from Duhallow represent the four remaining teams in the Bon Secours Hospital SAFC as the semi-finals take place this weekend in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Newcestown take on Newmarket (3pm) prior to Dohenys and Knocknagree’s matchup (5pm) in an enticing Saturday evening double-header.

All four clubs have pedigree when it comes to the SAFC. That’s why it’s difficult to pick a winner from a quartet blessed with attacking weaponry. Newcestown have bounced back from suffering top flight relegation last season very well. Bishopstown and Ilen Rovers went through the trap door from the top table in 2020 and 2021 respectively and both have struggled to make an impression at senior A level so it’s a credit to Newcestown. They have after all a never-say-die attitude which seems interwoven into the club’s fabric.

Tim Buckley’s side did lose first day out in the group stage, a one-point defeat to Dohenys before wins over Ilen Rovers and Bishopstown secured a quarter-final place against Kanturk. It went all the way to penalties after it finished up 2-4 to 1-7 after extra-time, with Newcestown goalkeeper Christopher White the hero saving two penalties as his side won 4-2 on penalties. 

You can’t really judge the team in red and yellow on that previous game given the horrendous weather conditions two weeks ago. The last group game against Bishopstown was Newcestown’s attacking prowess in full flow, they won 1-19 to 2-10 in a game they had to win. David Buckley is the main man up front, he’s joint top scorer in the championship with 0-23 so far. 

Newcestown’s opponents Newmarket could have dropped a grade 12 months ago, but defeated Bandon in the relegation play-off. Since then the Duhallow club have been steadily improving under the tutelage of Barry O’Leary. Five points from the three group games this season was enough to go directly into the semi-finals. 

In Hugh O’Connor, Newmarket possess one of the best forwards in the grade. The sharpshooter, in his debut season, has already amassed 0-14. O’Connor, along with Conor O’Keeffe, Ryan O’Keeffe and TJ Brosnan have been integral to the Duhallow’s side path to the penultimate round.

This should be a cracker between two exciting teams who are well able to mix up their game. It’s a repeat of the 2001 IFC semi-final when Newmarket were leading by seven points in the replay as the game entered injury-time, only for Newcestown to bag three goals to win 3-15 to 3-13.

The other semi-final clash of Dohenys and Knocknagree should prove equally fascinating.

Carbery club, Dohenys, qualified for the last four by virtue of wins over Newcestown, Bishopstown and Ilen Rovers, which cemented an unblemished record. 

Having fallen at the quarter-finals stage in 2022, Dohenys look better prepared for a shot at SAFC glory this season thanks to the likes of Keith White, Mark Buckley, Fionn Herlihy and Colm O’Shea’s combined threat. Reaching a county final will be far from straightforward considering the quality of their opponents.

Knocknagree’s ascension to the senior A ranks is a remarkable story that will be talked about for many years to come. So much so, that last season’s final defeat to St Michael’s was deemed a disappointment for a side who were in the Duhallow junior A ranks in 2017.

John Fintan Daly's side squeezed into the knockout stages after a late Anthony O’Connor point in the 2-11 to 0-14 win over Kanturk. Knocknagree had to win by three points or more to qualify. Despite the number of players the team in white and blue are down from last season's squad, the return of O’Connor this year is a massive boost after missing the last few years due to a hip injury.

Daniel O’Mahony and Eoghan McSweeney bring leadership and inter-county experience, and if Knocknagree can replicate the previous showing in this one, they might just have enough to reach a second successive final.