Division 1 FL: Knocknagree hold off Carbery Rangers to book Castlehaven decider

Carbery Rangers: 1-17 (1-3-11) 

Knocknagree: 1-20 (1-2-16) 

Knocknagree’s fairytale journey shows no sign of slowing after they made more history on Sunday morning in Rosscarbery. 

The Duhallow side edged out Carbery Rangers following a thoroughly enjoyable contest in the final round of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League, sealing their place in the decider against Castlehaven — a dress rehearsal for their Premier SFC group-stage meeting.

For a club who were Junior A as recently as 2017, the rise has been remarkable. This is their first season playing in Division 1.

Knocknagree fully deserved this win too, spearheaded by sharpshooters Anthony O’Connor and Denis R O’Connor. 

This was effectively a league semi-final and it had all the hallmarks of one: quality football, courageous defending and outstanding scores throughout.

The sides traded the first four points before an Anthony O’Connor two-point free gave Knocknagree a narrow cushion in front of a sizeable crowd. Paul Hodnett responded with an orange flag to level matters. Daragh Hayes nudged Carbery Rangers ahead in an end-to-end opening, 0-5 to 0-4 after 10 minutes.

Knocknagree kicked two of the next three points to draw level before striking for goal on 15 minutes. Denis Mahoney broke forward from centre-back and Denis R O’Connor applied the finish. 

But within a minute Carbery Rangers hit back, Jerry O’Riordan brilliantly rolling the ball into the bottom corner after a surging run.

That goal energised the hosts, who hit three unanswered points — Dylan O’Neill’s effort the pick of them — to move 1-9 to 1-6 ahead after 22 minutes. In keeping with the flow of the game, Knocknagree then enjoyed their own purple patch, hitting three on the spin including a superb two-pointer from Timmy O’Connor with the outside of his boot.

Paul Hodnett clipped over another orange flag, this time from a free, but Knocknagree went in just a point down at the break thanks to an Anthony O’Connor score, 1-11 to 1-10.

Knocknagree started the second half strongly with an Anthony O’Connor free followed by another fine effort from the forward. 

John Fintan Daly’s outfit led 1-15 to 1-13 entering the final quarter. John O’Brien’s point was timely for Carbery Rangers in that scoring spree, but the second half belonged to Knocknagree.

They were the slicker side as substitute Michael Doyle and Denis R O’Connor pushed them four clear with seven minutes left. 

The teams traded white flags to leave it 1-18 to 1-14 after 58 minutes. Denis R O’Connor then bisected the posts with what looked like the insurance score, but six minutes of added time gave Carbery Rangers hope. 

O’Neill and a Paul Hodnett orange flag cut the gap to two.

Knocknagree, though, always had the answers, and fittingly it was Anthony O’Connor who had the final say with a point as the Duhallow men marched into the league final.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: P Hodnett 0-7 (2 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 f), J O’Riordan 1-1, D O’Neill 0-3, J O’Brien, D Hayes 0-2 each, K Scannell, B Kerr 0-1 each.

Knocknagree: A O’Connor 0-10 (1 2pt f, 0-3 f), Denis R O’Connor 1-5, T O’Connor 0-2 (1 2pt), F O’Connor, M McSweeney, M Doyle 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: P Shanahan; P Óg Hill, J Kevane, C Daly; P Tobin, J O’Riordan, B Hodnett; K Scannell, B Kerr; J O’Brien, P Hodnett, J Hodnett; M Hodnett, D Hayes, D O’Neill.

Subs: T Cullinane for M Hodnett (42), C McCarthy for P Tobin (44), J Fitzpatrick for K Scannell (55), J O’Regan for J Hodnett (61).

KNOCKNAGREE: D Murphy; Denis D O’Connor, K Buckley, G O’Connor; G Looney, D Mahoney, T O’Connor; David O’Connor, D Moynihan; F O’Connor, M McSweeney, J Dennehy; Denis R O’Connor, M Dilworth, A O’Connor.

Subs: N O’Connor for D Moynihan (2, inj), M Doyle for J Dennehy (h-t), R O’Connor for M Dilworth (61).

Referee: Peter O’Leary (Castletownbere).