Dan Cronin hails Kiskeam's character after comeback secures semi-final spot

Kiskeam manager Dan Cronin praised his players' resilience and never-say-die attitude after they overturned an eight-point deficit to defeat Macroom 1-14 to 1-12 and secure a place in the McCarthy Insurance Premier IFC semi-finals.

The Duhallow club looked in serious trouble at Kanturk on Saturday evening when they fell 1-9 to 1-1 behind early in the second half but produced a stunning revival to reel in Macroom before finishing strongly with five unanswered points.

For Cronin, the victory represented another significant step forward for a club that has worked hard to rebuild in recent years.

"Absolutely huge for the team and the club," he said. "We've had tough years when we were coming down out of senior and we had to regroup. We knew there was a carrot in front of us for the last couple of weeks that if we won there'd be a semi-final place there for us.

"It's massive for the club and I'm delighted for the players and the team."

Defiant

After struggling for much of the opening 35 minutes, Kiskeam appeared to be heading out when Macroom stretched their advantage to eight points.

Cronin admitted it looked bleak from the sideline but was thrilled with the response.

"To be fair to the players, it looked like curtains at that stage, especially against a team like Macroom," he said.

"To come back from eight points down and go on and win the game in the second half was huge.

"We didn't play particularly well and that's a massive compliment to our players. The never-say-die attitude always comes through. We always talk about that in the club and it's great to see it coming back again."

While Kiskeam's goal proved a vital score, Cronin felt their relentless finish ultimately made the difference.

"The goals were vital of course," he said. "I was disappointed we conceded theirs, but again the character of the boys showed.

"The other result in the group wasn't going to suit us so to come out on the right side of it with five or six scores at the end, and the work rate and intensity they showed, all credit goes to them."

Cronin was also quick to acknowledge the impact made by his substitutes, singling out veteran forward Dave Scannell for special.

Benches are so important in these matches. Dave Scannell came on and what an attitude. 

"The drive he had and everything he brought, he really drove the forward line for the last few minutes.

"He won't want to be on that line at all. He wants to be inside on the field all the time and he showed all the footballing ability he has shown for numerous years.

"It was epitomised in the last play when he took on his man three times on the sideline to win a free. He's been an unbelievable player for us down through the years and he's still showing it.

"He's an example to all those young players. If he can do it at 39 years of age, why can't they do it? They're the kind of guys you want and they're the kind of guys who will bring us to the next level."

Having secured the semi-final spot they can now sit back and watch the remaining quarter-final contenders battle it out.

Cronin knows the hard work is far from over, but he is relishing the opportunity that now lies ahead.

"It's a great position to be in. I'd have taken your hand off this morning if you told me we'd win by a point or two.

"Obviously nothing is won yet, but it's massive progress again this year.

"It'll be interesting to see who comes out of the other side. We'll get a chance to see them and we'll prepare diligently ourselves.”