Tough route to final stood to Knockngree, says John Fintan Daly

In managing to get over the line and achieve promotion to premier senior, Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly cited the journey to get there as being making of his side.

It was a campaign that began with a draw against Cill na Martra and the Gaeltacht side’s superior scoring difference gave them top spot in the group - they earned an automatic semi-final whereas Knocknagree had to contest a quarter-final.
That game was against their neighbours Kanturk and extra time was required, but Daly felt it ended up standing to them.

“I think we probably had a harder path than Cill na Martra,” he said. “They're a good side, there's no question about that, but I think the Kanturk game was huge.

“I think I told the players when we had to play a quarter[-final], I said, 'Lads, if we want to go to Páirc Uí Chaoimh and win a championship, we need to play a quarter now and we need to be tested.'

“Lord, were we tested that day against Kanturk, so I think that was the making of us.

“But we came here today - you know, I've been here now eight times in the last four years. I don't think there's another club or division has been here more often - and they were very relaxed coming here.

We were very, very settled down, we were very calm. We were very methodical.

“We had our match-ups and everything we needed to do. But at the end of the day, we play football the right way and I think that's what's important in my victories here.

“I think the way we play the game, to bring people in and to get enthused about the game of Gaelic football, because I've been in love with Gaelic football all my life.”

And it is a love that has inspired a journey to the top tier, a collective effort that has had many hands involved.

“I did reference during the week, and I think in fairness, I was speaking for Cill na Martra and Knocknagree, I did reference Castlehaven,” Daly said, “because as a younger manager I was hugely impressed with the great Collins brothers and all that they did.

“I saw them doing that, but in the modern game now, with six grades from junior A up to premier senior, to be able to do it is quite spectacular.

CULTURE

“You need a bit of luck, but you need a big buy-in. We have a great culture, we have a great respect between one another. Players will go to hell and back for us.

“You know, I had one player that came home on a Sunday morning recently, I won't mention him, he drove from Dublin to be at an A-versus-B game and drove back to Dublin again, because he knew it was important. That's just an example.

“We have a fantastic new €900,000 complex and we train every Sunday morning. 

We have a video review, then we go out and we play. We come back in, and breakfast is ready for us at the table. 

"There are seven or eight fantastic ladies there. I won't mention individual names, but that's all part of it.

“I know people give me a hard time, always keep saying that we're a small unit, but it's quality. It's about mentality and attitude and what you can achieve with something small.”