Clonakilty have what it takes to reach next level says Conor Daly

The 2024 McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC campaign was deja vu for Clonakilty.

The Brewery Town lost out to Nemo Rangers in the quarter-final for the second year on the trot. After losing by a point in 2023, Martin O’Brien’s side lost out on penalties last year.

It’s generally accepted that Clonakilty could and maybe should have won both days, but didn’t. It wasn’t all bad in 2024 though, the West Cork outfit did get promoted out of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 2 football league and went on to win the title after beating St Michael’s in the final after extra time.

Clonakilty’s Conor Daly has been a key figure in the forward department over the last few years as he reflects on last year.

“It was definitely mixed emotions, that’s for sure,” he says.

“After coming through a serious battle after extra time with St Michael’s in the league final, we felt that would stand to us come championship time. We got through the group stages, but we wanted to kick on in the business end of the championship and losing the quarter-final to Nemo again was tough to take.

“Personally, I felt we left it behind us in normal time and then it went all the way to penalties, and sure that’s a lottery. It was very disappointing to be fair. I thought we had them that day. We know that we are right there with the big teams.

“We did achieve the first aim of the season and that was to return to Division 1 and the next aim was then to reach a county final. It wasn’t all bad. We know that we are heading in the right direction."

Clonakilty have started their 2025 McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 football league campaign with four points from the first two games. Two home wins too against Éire Óg and Douglas. The West Cork side will be targeting league honours once again.

“Our goal is to win every game, same approach as last year,” Daly said.

“We know that there’s a step up from Division 2 to Division 1. Some of the games last year weren’t as challenging as we would have liked. The quality of games will help us going into the championship this year.

“We have a great squad and we are lucky that we have the majority of the players for the league games. Dara Ó Sé has rejoined us this season and it’s great to be playing with him in the forward line. He’s a great fella to have in your dressing room so we are delighted to have him back.

“We have always had a strong defence, it just has been a case of the forwards stepping up. I feel now that we have six good scoring forwards.” 

In the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC group stage, Clonakilty will meet St Finbarr’s, Carrigaline and familiar West Cork opponents in Carbery Rangers.

“We haven’t played St Finbarr’s in championship since we lost to them in the 2021 county final. That’s our first game so it’s important we focus on that one first. 

"But, it’s a tough group. Carrigaline are on a high after last year when they won the Senior A and then Carbery Rangers is a local derby. Three big games, but it’s just one game at a time.” Daly concluded.