Clinical Clonakilty overpower Premier Senior newcomers Knocknagree in second half
Clon's Des Kenneally and Knocknagree's David O'Connor rise for the dropping ball during the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC game at Carrigadrohid. Picture: David Creedon
Clonakilty are a club full of potential and they will be hoping that the championship campaign for 2026 will see that in clear evidence on the field of play.
They most certainly showed glimpses of encouragement in Carrigadrohid on Saturday evening, as they secured a crucial victory over Knocknagree in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC.
With the likes of Dara Ó Sé impressive throughout, Clonakilty will hope this win is a launch pad for a strong championship ahead.
The last decade has been a memorable journey for Knocknagree. In 2017, they were playing in junior ranks of football in Cork. Now they are dining at the top table of the club game on Leeside.
However this game will be an eye opener as to what Knocknagree can expect in the PSFC grade.
Keen to make a strong impression, Knocknagree opened their scoring account courtesy of scores by David Twomey.
John Fintan Daly’s side could have been further ahead, but a goal effort by Kilian Cronin came crashing back off the crossbar.
Clonakilty grew in momentum as the opening half of action progressed, with well-taken scores from Darragh Gough and Dara Ó Sé seeing the West Cork side edge ahead.
Knocknagree went back in front at the midway point of the opening half, as a lovely two-pointer from Michael Mc Sweeney seeing his side lead 0-5 to 0-3.
The Clon response was again a positive one when Ross Mannix slotted over.
Gough almost found the back of the net, but he had to be content with a point as Cork goalkeeper Patrick Doyle tipped the ball over the bar.
A cracking point from Ó Sé arrived on 20 mins for Clon, who now led 0-7 to 0-5.
Both sides continued to trade blow for blow, with a two-pointer from David O’Connor, added to by a McSweeney score, saw Knocknagree go back into a one-point advantage.
Clonakilty were to have the final say in the opening half, as Conor Daly and Maurice Shanley added to the scoreboard.
Clon held the advantage after a competitive opening half of football at 0-9 to 0-8.
Indeed, Clonakilty gained further control in the early stages of the second half. Ó Sé provided further evidence why he is such an asset to this Clon side, while a two-pointer from Conor Daly saw Clonakilty go into a 0-14 to 0-8 lead on 38 minutes.
Knocknagree reduced the deficit through a placed ball from Doyle, which was added to by scores from Denis R O’Connor and Eoghan McSweeney.
Clonakilty were continuing to show strong determination, as scores by Daly and a Chris Kenneally point saw them ahead 0-17 to the 0-12 of Knocknagree on 53 minutes.
Fintan O’Connor then got a much-needed Knocknagree point to ensure a grandstand finish was in prospect.
Clonakilty were well in the ascendancy though when they found the back of the net on 58 minutes. After Thomas Clancy saw his initial effort saved, Conor Daly was on hand to rifle the ball home.
The seal was further capped on a fine Clon outing and a statement win, as goalkeeper Mark White saved impressively from the penalty spot from Knocknagree attacker Anthony O’Connor in stoppage time.
C Daly 1-5 (1 2pt), D Ó Sé 0-5 (0-1 f), D Gough, R Mannix 0-3 each, M Shanley, C Kenneally 0-1 each.
M McSweeney 0-3 (1 2pt), D O’Connor (1 2pt), D Twomey, G Looney 0-2 each, P Doyle (45), E McSweeney, D R O’Connor, F O’Connor 0-1 each.
M White; D Darragh, D Peet, D Lowney; C Kenneally, T Clancy, J O’Mahony; B Ridgeway, M Shanley; D Kenneally, D Ó Sé, D Harrington; D Gough, R Mannix, C Daly.
S White for Harrington (37), S McEvoy for D Kenneally (50), E Deasy for Shanley (57).
P Doyle; D Mahoney, K Buckley, G O’Connor; G Looney, D O’Mahony, T O’Connor; M McSweeney, D O’Connor; D Twomey, E McSweeney, K Cronin; D R O’Connor, N O’Connor, A O’Connor.
M Doyle for Buckley (28), F O’Connor for N O’Connor (38), M Dilworth for T O’Connor (50)
James Regan(Lough Rovers).
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