Kanturk footballers hoping to avoid another spot of bother in knockouts

For Kanturk, applause for a whole-hearted effort in the past two Cork County Senior A Football Championship campaigns, but at the end of it all it proved an empty plate in agonising circumstances.

In 2023, Kanturk came up against eventual champions Newcestown in a quarter-final, deadlock at the end of both normal and extra time, only for Kanturk to lose 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.

Twelve months on, lightning struck again in a similar scenario, Kanturk progressing directly to a semi-final only to exit the championship for the second year in succession on penalties, defeated 2-1 by Carrigaline who advanced to overcome Knocknagree in the decider.

Again Kanturk have earned their ticket to the quarter-final stage, manager Eoghan O’Connor hopeful, the outcome will not come down to penalties.

“Yes, it’s an avenue that we will be looking at. The past two campaigns have been frustrating to lose out in such circumstances; our keeper Ronan Cashman is a great shot stopper, we take it one game at a time, hopefully we can get over the next hurdle in actual playing time.”

From a competitive Group 1, all Kanturk required against Newmarket was a draw and they did so in a share of the spoils.

However, Kanturk might well have lost out but for the brilliance of Cashman with terrific saves in both halves.

We’re lucky to have two goalkeeper specialists, Ronan and Jordan Fullerton, the amount of effort put in by both is terrific.

"Jordan figures on our junior A team that has reached the Duhallow JAFC semi-final,” said O’Connor.

Kanturk assured themselves of a quarter-final spot thanks to a draw against Newmarket, the latter hung in to the last whistle.

“At the start of the campaign, we knew all four teams in the group were even among the two Duhallow teams, Éire Óg and Kilshannig.

“The concluding preliminary contest was a local derby, a slow start by ourselves, the majority of our players are dual, playing Blackrock, St Finbarr’s and Douglas in Premier Senior hurling over recent weeks,” said O’Connor.

“Probably Newmarket are well accustomed to local derbies in football and hurling, it took us time to adjust to the surroundings.

“Once we got into the game, we were OK, getting into a rhythm, we dominated the second quarter, great movement yielded scores,” said O’Connor.

URGENT

Newmarket found a new urgency on the restart, three points from county man Hugh O’Connor helped draw up the game, Kanturk now under pressure.

“We expected a Newmarket response, they gave it their all, we haven’t done as much football over recent months, the teams left in the title race are predominantly football only. They have double the amount of time for preparation, the dual aspect has hampered our consistency,” O’Connor said.

With the hurling done and dusted for the season, the focus now for Kanturk is on the next all-Duhallow installment against Knocknagree.

That clash revives memories of the delayed 2020 Co. Premier IFC final, a late rally earned Knocknagree victory.

However Kanturk found redemption in 2022, their class and experience overcame the spirited resistance of Bantry Blues to secure Senior A status.

There is a good rivalry between the teams, Knocknagree will probably be favourites, we’re looking forward to having a crack with them, it makes for a great contest."

Hopefully for Kanturk, it will not come down to penalties!