Premier SFC: Castlehaven book Nemo showdown after holding off Knocknagree

Castlehaven: 2-18 (2-2-14) 

Knocknagree: 4-10 (4-1-8) 

Castlehaven’s experience and quality tipped them over the line against gallant Knocknagree in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday evening.

It was simple maths for both: a win in this final Group 3 game would drive them into the knockout stages at the expense of their opposition.

The West Cork side might have won by two points at the end, but the game was long over before the final whistle. Knocknagree finished with 2-3 in the closing stages as their season comes to an end.

The Haven will face Nemo Rangers in the quarter-finals following this victory. They won’t be happy with how the game finished, but they were impressive for much of the contest.

Conor Cahalane, Brian Hurley and Micheál Maguire all contributed handsomely.

A word on Knocknagree: not a bad maiden Premier Senior campaign. They avoided any relegation trouble and rattled a few cages. Positive signs for them heading into 2027.

After a couple of wides, the Haven goaled after five minutes when Conor Cahalane’s long delivery into the square evaded everyone and found the net. Knocknagree would have been disappointed with how that unfolded.

Castlehaven were in the groove. Micheál Maguire, Michael Hurley and Brian Hurley (free) tacked on points as they moved 1-3 to 0-0 ahead.

In Knocknagree’s first real attack, they did get a goal from close range through Fintan O’Connor after Niall O’Connor set him up, but Castlehaven were dictating the terms.

They hit three points on the trot, with Micheál Maguire a real thorn in Knocknagree’s defence. Fintan O’Connor, his side’s focal point so far, bisected the posts, but Castlehaven were dominating the key areas, 1-6 to 1-1 after 20 minutes.

The quality we were expecting didn’t quite arrive in what was a slow-paced affair.

The sides traded white flags before Damien Cahalane came up the field unchallenged to kick a two-pointer for the West Cork side, 1-9 to 1-2.

Meaningful attacks were few and far between for Knocknagree in a gruelling opening 30 minutes, but they did score their second goal two minutes before half-time. Denis Mahoney’s effort sneaked into the net, albeit with a deflection. It spurred John Fintan Daly’s side on.

Denis R O’Connor raised an orange flag and suddenly it was a two-point game.

The Haven, though, got the last score of the half when Conor Cahalane — who covered every blade of grass — pointed, leaving it 1-10 to 2-4 at the break.

The sides traded points on the restart before the man of the moment, Conor Cahalane, clipped over a beauty.

Fintan O’Connor pointed for Knocknagree, but a Brian Hurley two-point free pushed Castlehaven 1-14 to 2-6 ahead after 39 minutes.

The Haven hit four of the next five points as they flexed their muscles, with Mark Collins outstanding in defence.

They more or less put the game to bed with a Seán Browne goal 13 minutes from time, 2-18 to 2-7.

A 45 from Knocknagree goalkeeper Pa Doyle cut the gap slightly, but it was a long way back.

Daniel O’Mahony, following a marauding run, slotted home Knocknagree’s third goal two minutes from time.

Pa Doyle sent over another 45, followed by an Anthony O’Connor effort, 2-18 to 3-10.

The latter then finished to the net, but it was mere consolation.

Scorers for Castlehaven: C Cahalane 1-5, B Hurley 0-5 (1 2pt f, 0-2 f), M Maguire 0-3, S Browne 1-0, Damien Cahalane (1 2pt), M Hurley 0-2 each, C Maguire 0-1.

Knocknagree: F O’Connor 1-3 (0-1 f), A O’Connor 1-1, Denis R O’Connor 0-3 (1 2pt), D O'Mahony, D Mahoney 1-0 each, P Doyle 0-2 (0-2 45), E McSweeney 0-1.

CASTLEHAVEN: Darragh Cahalane; J Bohane, T O’Mahony, J O’Regan; R Maguire, Damien Cahalane, M Collins; C Cahalane, C Maguire; S Browne, J O’Driscoll, A Whelton; M Maguire, B Hurley, M Hurley.

Subs: S Walsh for S Browne (55), S O’Connell for C Cahalane (59).

KNOCKNAGREE: P Doyle; D Mahoney, K Buckley, T O’Connor; G Looney, D O’Mahony, D Twomey; M McSweeney, David O’Connor; G O’Connor, E McSweeney, K Cronin; Denis R O’Connor, F O’Connor, N O’Connor.

Subs: M Doyle for K Buckley (h‑t), A O’Connor for N O’Connor (37), M Dilworth for K Cronin (48), D Moynihan for David O’Connor, T O’Mahony for D Twomey (both 58).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).