Knocknagree now zone in on Division 1 Football League final appearance

The upward trajectories of Knocknagree and Cill na Martra are very similar, with both clubs riding the crest of a wave in recent years.

Both are clubs steeped in community and football tradition and both look to continue making an impact on the Cork club football stage.

Knocknagree will be keen to make an impression in the Cork Premier Senior Football championship in 2026.

While Cill na Martra will be determined to join them in being the top table of club football in Cork in 2027.

On Saturday evening, Knocknagree kept their hopes of making the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Division 1 Football League final alive, by recording a home victory over Cill na Martra 0-16 to 0-11 in what was a competitive contest.

“This was a must-win game for both teams,” Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly told The Echo.

“We came into this game knowing that if we lost the game, we could get into a relegation situation.

“If we won the game we could compete for a county league final place. This was a really hard tough game.

“There was no quarter asked and these two teams know one another well. Cill na Martra gave us a real test. We came through in the end thanks be to god and we kept ourselves in contention.

“Tribute to the whole team, the backroom staff and our supporters. It was a huge match here and it was played at championship intensity.” 

Daly added that he is pleased to see the depth of the panel stepping up to the plate in this particular win and throughout the county league campaign overall.

“We have four training with Cork all of the time. We had other guys on holiday and we had guys injured. 

We were missing eight of our starting county final team. That tears the heart out of any team.

“So, it was asking high questions of the team that we had. For the guys to step in off the bench that don’t get much game time with the first team, it is brilliant.

“Our second team only the other night qualified for their sixth league final in Duhallow in a row. That is brilliant for the whole squad.” 

CHALLENGING

In the Cork PSFC Knocknagree are in a group containing Clonakilty, Castlehaven and Ballincollig. Knocknagree on their maiden outing in Cork PSFC level could not have asked for more challenging group.

But as they have shown over recent years, one would be foolish to dismiss the Knocknagree fight in any battle.

“The teams we are meeting are high-quality teams,” declares Daly.

“These are clubs with huge populations and we have a tiny population. So, it is back to the same old story. We just keep driving on. We are very determined and we are very stubborn.

We keep at it, we try and play and we try to keep the level that is required.” 

Upon arrival at Knocknagree GAA club, it is hard not to notice the impressive new clubhouse facility on display. This is the fruits of the labour of the community and voluntary effort by all in Knocknagree.

On the field of play the current senior side of the Duhallow club will be hoping to give their local community even more to be proud of over the coming months and years ahead.