Knocknagree hold off Kiskeam in Duhallow JAFL thriller 

Knocknagree 1-18

Kiskeam 2-13

A second-half revival earned the applause for Knocknagree as they overcame defending holders Kiskeam in an absorbing Duhallow Ducon Cup (JAFL) Final in the presence of a large crowd at Boherbue on Sunday evening.

Although Knocknagree had laboured to break Kiskeam’s resistance in the opening spell, the winners emerged the superior force after the resumption. 

In fairness, Kiskeam were prepared to battle all the way and a late flourish came up short to an enjoyable encounter. 

Knocknagree had set about their business from the off, Denis O’Connor registering back to back points. 

Kiskeam responded well, good work from Dave Scannell placed Shane O’Riordan to goal.

With the exchanges closely contested, Kiskeam enjoyed the better of the breaks through the workrate of Mike Casey, Paul O’Callaghan, Martin Collins and Scannell. 

O’Callaghan and Daniel Fitzgerald boomed over points from placed balls before O’Callaghan added a two pointer to secure a 1-6 to 0-7 advantage at the short whistle.

First blood again to Knocknagree on the restart, a productive spell yielded points from Cathal O’Connor, Denis O’Connor and Michael McSweeney. The Kiskeam response was immediate, Scannell blasted home a goal to regain the lead.

However Knocknagree got back on track, gaining an edge on the defining play of substitute Timmy O’Connor, Gearóid Looney, Killian Cronin and Denis O’Connor. An opportunist goal from David Twomey regained the lead for Knocknagree.

Follow up points to Paul O’Connor and man of the match Cronin stretched Knocknagree's grip. 

Trailing by six, Kiskeam dug in, O’Callaghan delivered a two pointer from a free before adding another from play. 

Though Cronin answered with a Knocknagree point, Kiskeam refused to quit, Scannell obliged with a two pointer.

The excitement ramped up during the closing exchanges, points exchanged by Knocknagree substitute Kevin Barry and Scannell. 

Late on, Knocknagree were forced to defend a number of balls played into the danger zone before referee Shaun O’Rourke brought the battle of wits to a close, Knocknagree shading matters to claim the title for the 11th occasion.

Scorers for Knocknagree: D O’Connor 0-7 (0-3f), D Twomey 1-0, K Cronin 0-3, P O’Connor 0-2, T O’Mahony (45), C O’Connor, G Looney, M McSweeney, T O’Connor, K Barry 0-1 each.

KISKEAM: D Scannell 1-5 (1tp), P O’Callaghan 0-6 (0-3f, 2tp), S O’Riordan 1-0, S Linehan, D Fitzgerald (f) 0-1 each.

KNOCKNAGREE: Daniel Murphy, N O’Connor, S Daly, D D O’Connor; C O’Connor, G Looney, R O’Connor; T O’Mahony, K Cronin; Dan Murphy, J Dennehy, M McSweeney; D O’Connor, P O’Connor, D Twomey. 

Subs: T O’Connor for D Murphy, D Bacalso for S Daly, K Barry for J Dennehy.

KISKEAM: B Daly; S Linehan, D Linehan, J Angland; P O’Mahony, Mike Casey, M Collins; P O’Callaghan, Maurice Casey; D Fitzgerald, R Carroll, S O’Riordan; D Scannell, M Herlihy, M Cronin. 

Subs: G Casey for S Lenihan, J Murphy for R Carroll.

Referee: S O’Rourke (Ballydesmond).