Conor Daly says continuity key to Clon revival ahead of St Finbarr's semi-final battle

Clonakilty’s return to the last four of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC has been five years in the making, and for Conor Daly, the sense of relief after finally clearing the quarter-final hurdle was clear. 

The win over Newcestown wasn’t pretty, nor was it straightforward, but it carried a weight far beyond the scoreboard.

“We haven’t been in the semi-final in five years,” Daly says.

“We lost to Nemo twice in the quarters and didn’t get out of the group a couple of other years. It’s been a long time – a lot of bad days, falling short or just not playing well.

“Thank God we just about got it done by a point against Newcestown. It didn’t matter how we did it in the end, as long as we got there.” 

What’s different about Clonakilty in 2026? Daly doesn’t dress it up: continuity has been their biggest strength.

“We’ve got a couple of new lads, and we’ve been quite good with injuries this year, apart from Liam O’Donovan. Dylan Harrington has been a big addition. But it’s been a similar enough team for the last couple of years.

“Other years we might be missing this fella or that fella. We’ve got bodies right at the right time and it’s working out grand for us.

“The management have been there a few years too. It’s small tweaks, nothing major. There’s good continuity between players and management.” 

Now comes the biggest test of all: holders St Finbarr’s under the lights at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The sides met in the first round last year when the Barrs squeezed home, and Daly knows there’s no mystery between them.

“They’re the county champions, very unlucky not to be Munster champions. If you win Munster, you don’t know where you’d go – Dingle went on and won the All-Ireland. The Barrs are an extremely good team.

“We lost the league final last year to them and also lost by a point in the first round last year. We respect them, they’re a great side, but we’ll give it a go. That’s all we can do.” 

Saturday night brings Daly back to the Páirc for club championship football for the first time since 2021, when they lost to St Finbarr’s in the final.

“It’s been a long time coming in terms of getting back to the Páirc. We played hurling there against Ballinora, but we haven’t been back in the football since losing to the Barrs. It will be unreal to be back.

“2021 was my first year with the first team. I came on in games. Every year is different. We have a few new players and the Barrs have a few new lads, so I don’t think that game in 2021 or any past meetings will have any relevance in the upcoming game.

“Both teams are similar enough but still changing. Even with the new rules – this is the first full year of everyone knowing them. Last year was a bit of a trial. We’ll take something from those past St Finbarr's games, but we’ve both changed so much.” 

Daly’s own development has accelerated this season through his involvement with the Cork seniors.

“It’s my first year inside there. You’re learning off a new group of lads. They’re extremely good footballers. The professionalism is serious. 

"Every night they’re looking for that little bit more. You try to pick up the odd thing or two off lads – you’ve been watching them for years.”