Patrick Doyle on Knockagree's title ambition: 'We feel we've a strong panel and we need them all'

DS Knocknagree’s win over Fermoy at a windy Buttevant cemented the Duhallow side’s position as one of the sides to beat in the 2025 McCarthy Insurance SAFC.

John Fintan Daly’s side looked comfortable early on last Sunday, slipped a bit in the middle, but against a strong second-half wind came good at the end. That was mainly because of the dogged resistance shown as they went in search of the win.

Their reward is a Duhallow derby against Kanturk in the quarter-final.

Rock-solid goalkeeper Patrick Doyle spoke to The Echo and was delighted with how things panned out for his side, especially the way they battled when things were going against them in the second half.

"You would have to credit Fermoy in the first half,” said Doyle.

"They played the conditions very well. When we got the black card mid-way through the first half, they just held onto the ball, picked us off and played some great football – which it must be said we expected from them.

I thought we showed great heart and grit in the second half to dig it out against the wind. It didn’t look easy for a long time, but we got through anyway.

“We were looking for scores at the end because we thought we might get first place but I think we only lost out to Cill na Marta by a point, but we now have a quarter-final to look forward to against Kanturk– we can’t wait." 

UNBELIEVABLE

Knocknagree will take on their neighbours for a place in the last four, something that definitely whets the appetite for Doyle and his colleagues – as do all the games in a competition that Doyle feels continues to deliver for all.

“In fairness to the County Board, these championships are just unbelievable at the moment. Every team is going into the last game with something to play for and that makes things very exciting.

We had fellas on the sideline looking at phones, seeing what is happening at other venues. 

"These are great championships, very competitive and we are just delighted to be still in it.” 

It is noticeable when looking at the Knocknagree bench that they have a serious panel, numbers-wise, and Doyle insists that all are required to keep their show on the road.

“We feel we have a strong panel here and we need them all because in an intense championship like this there are always going to be injuries, loss of form and other things and we have experienced that over the last few years like other teams have so you need every man there to try and get you through. 

“Kanturk next, well we know each other inside out and we will look forward to having a rattle off them the same way they will be looking to give a rattle off us.”