Division 1 FL: Brian Hurley helps Castlehaven to narrow win over Knocknagree

Knocknagree: 0-10 (0-1-8) 

Castlehaven: 1-9 (1-1-7) 

A Jamie O’Driscoll goal proved vital as Castlehaven saw off Knocknagree in a lively McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League game at Knocknagree on Sunday morning.

Both sides drew their respective games first day out, but it was the men from Carbery who won in what was challenging conditions.

They were against a strong wind in the first 30 minutes but led by three points at the interval. 

The Haven were on the ropes late on after Knocknagree landed four white flags on the bounce to draw level, but the winners got the last two scores to win by two points.

The weather did play its part with a driving wind and occasional heavy showers resulting in a low-scoring affair. Great credit must go to both teams who gave it their all.

Knocknagree, playing in their first ever home game in the top tier of the league on Leeside, will be disappointed in what was an encounter they could have won had they been more clinical.

Castlehaven, who had Cork senior football Brian Hurley on the bench to start with, were on the front foot early on despite playing against a gale of a wind.

Michael Hurley and Shane O’Connell pointed following patient play.

Denis R O’Connor did draw Knocknagree level through a two-pointer before the sides traded points, 0-3 each after 20 minutes.

Tadc O’Mahony had a glorious chance of a goal for Knocknagree in between those white flags but his effort trickled the wrong side of the post.

In front of Cork senior football boss John Cleary, Castlehaven goaled a minute before half-time when O’Driscoll finished expertly to the net.

It all started after Conor Cahalane won a tremendous kick-out, 1-3 to 0-3 at half-time.

Brian Hurley was introduced for the new half and made an immediate impact with a beauty of a two-point free against the wind.

Cork senior footballer Eoghan McSweeney got a point for the home side. It could have easily been a goal but Castlehaven goalkeeper Darragh Cahalane parried the shot over the bar.

Knocknagree kicked two of the next three points to trail 1-6 to 0-6 after 43 minutes before a Michael Hurley point settled Castlehaven or so it looked at the time.

John Fintan Daly’s charges took control as a pair of Denis R O’Connor efforts and points from Michael McSweeney and an Anthony O’Connor free drew Knocknagree level with four minutes to go.

Castlehaven finished the better through as Danny O’Donovan and Conor Cahalane slotted over hugely important points as the Carbery outfit picked up a big win at a tough venue.

Scorers for Knocknagree: Denis R O’Connor 0-4 (1 2pt), A O’Connor 0-3 f, G O’Connor, M McSweeney, E McSweeney 0-1 each.

Castlehaven: J O’Driscoll 1-0, B Hurley (1 2pt f), D O'Donovan, M Hurley 0-2 each, M Collins (f), J O’Neill, C Cahalane 0-1 each.

KNOCKNAGREE: D Browne; N O’Connor, K Buckley, G O’Connor; Denis D O’Connor, David O’Connor, K Cronin; M McSweeney, T O’Mahony; D Twomey, E McSweeney, F O’Connor; Denis R O’Connor, M Dilworth, A O’Connor.

Subs: J Dennehy for M Dilworth (15, inj), T O’Connor for Denis D O’Connor (42).

CASTLEHAVEN: D Cahalane; S Walsh, J Bohane, D O’Callaghan; S O’Connell, T O’Mahony, M Collins; C Cahalane, R Minihane; J O’Neill, J O’Driscoll, J Cahalane; C Maguire, M Hurley, D O’Donovan.

Subs: B Hurley for S O’Connell (h-t), S Browne for J O’Driscoll (40), C Nolan for D O’Callaghan (55).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).