Knocknagree find two-pointers to get past Carbery Rangers to secure Division 2 glory

Knocknagree: 0-17 (0-4-9) 

Carbery Rangers: 0-11 (0-0-11) 

Two-pointers proved crucial as Knocknagree saw off the challenge of Carbery Rangers to claim silverware in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 2 Football League decider at Ballyvourney on Friday evening.

John Fintan Daly’s side trailed by a point at half-time, but four two-pointers in the second half went a long way to securing the victory. They were slightly the better team overall though in what was a very disciplined performance against a Carbery Rangers side who were free-scoring during the regular league campaign.

Kealan Buckley and Daniel O'Mahony were outstanding in defence for the Duhallow outfit. They just had more punch and more imagination up front when it mattered. 

After 10 magnificent wins on the bounce in all competitions, Carbery Rangers' amazing run comes to an end, but they will learn a lot from this one.

It was played in difficult weather conditions and a greasy pitch. The conditions played a huge factor especially in the opening quarter. It was a case of fine margins, no score on either side but plenty of wrong decisions and wayward shooting.

The first score didn’t arrive until 17 minutes in when Cork senior footballer Eoghan McSweeney pointed followed 50 seconds later by a super Killian Cronin effort.

The lively Ciarán Santry got Carbery Rangers up and running with a white flag with 12 minutes to the break as the game did pick up slightly in intensity after a pedestrian start.

Matthew Dilworth and an Anthony O’Connor free put Knocknagree in a good position, 0-4 to 0-1 clear after 22 minutes, but the Rosscarbery-based outfit rattled off five unanswered points.

Conor Twomey and Daragh Hayes with two each and a close-range John O’Rourke free. Seamus Hayes’ team two points ahead going into first half added time.

There was very little between the sides though and another Dilworth effort left just a point between the teams at half-time, 0-6 to 0-5.

Eoghan McSweeney kicked a great two-pointer a minute into the new half as Knocknagree nudged in front. Just the start they required. 

Knocknagree were slightly better at this juncture, they kicked two of the next three points to lead 0-9 to 0-7 after 40 minutes.

The teams then swapped frees, Anthony O’Connor converting for Knocknagree while John O’Rourke did likewise for his team.

The O’Rourke brothers, John and Peadar, both pointed to draw Carbery Rangers level at 0-10 each after 51 minutes.

Knocknagree’s ability to land two-pointers were crucial, they put three together through Eoghan McSweeney and then two from Michael McSweeney to lead by six points with four minutes left, 0-16 to 0-10.

It wasn’t Carbery Rangers’ evening, sub Paul Hodnett saw his effort come back off the crossbar before Mark Hodnett did convert a free, but Anthony O’Connor had the final say when he clipped over a free.

Knocknagree’s fairytale journey continues given they were a Junior A team in 2017. Now Division 2 league champions and they will be contenders for the SAFC later this year.

Scorers for Knocknagree: M McSweeney (2 2pt), E McSweeney (2 2pt) 0-5 each, A O’Connor 0-4 f, M Dilworth 0-2, K Cronin 0-1.

Carbery Rangers: J O’Rourke 0-4 (0-3 f), D Hayes, C Twomey 0-2 each, M Hodnett (f), P O’Rourke, C Santry 0-1 each.

KNOCKNAGREE: P Doyle; N O’Connor, K Buckley, G Looney; K Cronin, D O’Mahony, T O’Connor; David O’Connor, T O’Mahony; M McSweeney, Denis R O’Connor, E McSweeney; P O’Connor, A O’Connor (c), M Dilworth.

Subs: D Moynihan for David O’Connor (15-17, temp), D Twomey for P O’Connor (42), D Bacalso for M Dilworth, R O’Connor for T O’Connor (both 52), D Moynihan for T O’Mahony (55).

CARBERY RANGERS: P Shanahan (c); C Daly, T O’Rourke, P Óg Hill; S Linehan, Jerry O’Riordan, J Hodnett; B Hodnett, J O’Brien; P O’Rourke, J O’Rourke, C Twomey; M Hodnett, C Santry, D Hayes.

Subs: P Hurley for C Santry, P Hodnett for D Hayes (both 43), James O’Riordan for T O’Rourke (46), C McCarthy for J Hodnett (51).

Referee: J Ryan (Macroom).