Denis R O'Connor fires Knocknagree to first Division 1 league win after thriller in Clonakilty

Clonakilty 1-12 (1-0-12) Knocknagree 1-13 (1-1-11) 

Denis R O’Connor's injury-time winner got Knocknagree off the mark and inflicted a first Clonakilty defeat in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League on Saturday evening.

Sunday’s Cork v Meath clash meant Éire Óg's win over Douglas and this clash were the only Division 1 shows in town this past weekend.

What a show it turned out to be in Ahamilla. Level five times throughout a high-tempo contest, a last-minute Clonakilty goal wasn’t enough to prevent Knocknagree from coming out on top.

Sitting at the summit of the table following away wins over Carbery Rangers and Douglas, Clon began against a Knocknagree side eager for their first league success.

Last year’s Senior AFC champions got off to a blistering start courtesy of early Anthony O’Connor and Denis R O’Connor efforts. Ross Mannix palmed over - when a goal was on - prior to O’Connor restoring his team’s two-point advantage.

A fast-paced opening, full of positive endeavour from both sides, saw Clonakilty gain the upper hand courtesy of three consecutive points. Cork senior Conor Daly, Sean McEvoy and Mannix white flags handed the hosts their first lead after 16 minutes.

Anthony O’Connor replied in classic fashion, curling over a long-range two-point free to make it 0-5 to 0-4 in Knocknagree’s favour.

The scores kept coming as Dara Ó Sé levelled matters for a second time. Clon’s Sean McEvoy had a goal ruled out for a square infringement before the same player fisted over to edge his team in front.

David O’Connor blazed a goal opportunity inches wide at the opposite end as another Ó Sé free made it a two-point game.

Winning the midfield battle, Knocknagree found the back of the net via a brilliant move that concluded with Killian Cronin firing beyond Mark White after 28 minutes.

A second Daly point sent the teams in level, 0-8 to 1-5, at the break.

Clonakilty enjoyed the better restart with a forced turnover helping deliver another Daly point. Two Ó Sé scores extended a rampant Clon’s lead before Anthony O’Connor’s free made it 0-11 to 1-6.

Michael McSweeney scuffed a great chance across Clon’s goalmouth but Knocknagree kept pressing with Denis R O’Connor and Anthony O’Connor points levelling the score for a fourth time.

Daly and Tadc O’Mahony exchanged points and it was 0-12 to 1-9 with under 10 minutes remaining.

An injury forced Conor Daly off after Anthony O’Connor had taken his personal total to seven. Next, a marvellous Michael McSweeney left-footed effort made it 1-11 to 0-12 as time ticked down.

Clonakilty weren’t finished as Dara Ó Sé’s lofted free was punched to the net by Ross Mannix.

Two minutes of injury-time saw Knocknagree gain possession and work the ball to Denis R O’Connor. Holding off a defender, Knocknagree’s forward brilliantly split the posts to win it 1-13 to 1-12 with virtually the last kick of the game.

The two clubs will meet again in Carrigadrohid on Saturday, July 25. That McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC Group 3 clash should be another occasion to savour.

Scorers for Clonakilty: R Mannix 1-2, D Ó Sé (2 f), C Daly 0-4 each, S McEvoy 0-2.

Knocknagree: A O’Connor (0-3 f, 1 2pt f) 0-7, D R O’Connor 0-4, K Cronin 1-0, T O’Mahony, M McSweeney 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY: M White (c); D O’Sullivan, D Peet, D Lowney; J O’Mahony, D Darragh, S White; T Clancy, K O’Driscoll; D Kenneally, D Ó Sé, A Cullinane; R Mannix, C Daly, S McEvoy.

Subs: C Kenneally for A Cullinane (41), C Ryan for S White (44, inj), N Barrett for K O’Driscoll (50), B White for S Daly (60, inj).

KNOCKNAGREE: D Murphy; N O’Connor, K Buckley, G O’Connor; G Looney, D Mahoney, T O’Connor; D O’Connor, M McSweeney; D Twomey, F O’Connor, K Cronin; D R O’Connor, T O’Mahony, A O’Connor.

Subs: D Moynihan for D Twomey (47), R O’Connor for G Looney (50).

Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).