SAFC final: Knocknagree players going above and beyond in pursuit of success

Knocknagree have quietly gone about their business this season in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC.

Having lost the final in 2022 to St Michael’s, the Duhallow club fell at the semi-final hurdle last year. But here they are, one game away from the top tier of Cork football as they meet Carrigaline in the final on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (1.30pm). Knocknagree were a Junior A football side in 2017.

Cork footballer Daniel O’Mahony, an All-Star nominee after his brilliant season for the Rebels this year, has been a key cog in the Knocknagree machine that has them back in another final. Three group stage wins over Newmarket, Clyda Rovers and Bishopstown booked a semi-final spot where they avenged the loss to Dohenys at the same stage 12 months previous by winning by eleven points.

Injuries hampered Knocknagree last year, while the return of Fintan O'Connor and John F Daly, the manager's son, from Down Under, has strengthened the panel in this championship.

“We are delighted to be back in a final,” O’Mahony says.

“After losing to St Michael’s two years ago, it was a massive ambition to get back here. One more step now to try and win it. First and foremost, we took a long hard look at ourselves after losing to Dohenys in the semi-final last year and where it went wrong. There has been a few different factors I guess as regards where we are today compared to last year. We have had lads return from Australia and also massive buy-in from the players at training. The players have driven it all year long.

“All those factors combined along with no real injuries, so it has all come together and why we are that bit sharper than last year. A lot of clubs, particularly in rural areas, are facing emigration, for a small club like ourselves, it can have a huge impact on the team. The fact that lads are willing to pay out of their own pocket to come home and play football for Knocknagree, we are fortunate to have guys like that involved.” 

The population of Knocknagree parish is roughly around 500 people. At a recent training session, there were 40 lads training. The passion for football up there knows no bounds. It has been some journey under the tutelage of John Fintan Daly. To go from Junior A in 2017 to Premier Senior in 2025 would be remarkable.

“To see where we have come from and to where we are today and potentially could be, is aspiring in itself,” the Cork defender said.

“We were struggling to win games in Duhallow 10 years ago and you still have that core group involved, but we have evolved throughout that time too. We have a lot of younger guys involved. It has been some journey. John Fintan Daly has been with us the whole way. He’s the guy linking it together.

“During the college year, we could have 12 to 15 guys travelling up and down from Cork. You have lads travelling up and down from Cork with 10 years and might not be playing senior, so there’s massive buy-in. Knocknagree is a small place.” 

Knocknagree never fired on all cylinders in the seven-point final defeat to St Michael’s two years ago, and the Cork footballer hopes this is their time.

“I thought that was an unbelievable St Michael’s team, so athletic,” he says.

“I guess we weren’t ready. I suppose you’re never ready unless you beat what’s in front of you. We came up against a very good St Michael’s side, who never gave us a chance. We were disappointed. We are back in the final and we want to win, but we aren’t looking beyond Carrigaline. We have been here before.” O'Mahony concluded.