It’s round two for Knocknagree
ITS a quick return to action for Knocknagree and Gabriel Rangers in their eagerly awaited replay to the Co. JAFC semi final in Ballyvourney on Saturday.
Seven days earlier, Knocknagree left it late, an equalising goal from Fintan O’Connor six minutes into added on time completed the escape for Knocknagree in an absorbing contest.
Living to fight another day, the outcome was deserved for Knocknagree if only for their refusal to throw in the towel after spurning gilt edged chances and conceding four consecutive points on the run for home before O’Connor delivered with exquisite timing to send a cracker to a replay.
No doubt, Gabriels emerged the sharper of the two sides, boosted by spectacular fielding by Stephen O’Mahony in the centre, the West Cork side made the most of their scoring opportunities, kicking a miserly two wides over the hour as a pair of well crafted goals grabbed a four point advantage at the break.
That contrasted to poor shot selection impinging on Knocknagree’s game, kicking a dozen wides in addition to efforts coming back off the woodwork. Such wayward shooting didn’t help Knocknagree’s casuse yet when the need was greatest, Knocknagree threw down the gauntlet and goals from substitute Stephen Heelan and O’Connor helped produce a stalemate outcome. The replay makes for a fascinating encounter as both sides attempt to carry the hopes of their respective division.
A tentative vote goes to Knocknagree on the basis of getting out of Ballyvourney in the drawn game with parity having performed below par was a big achievement. The belief is that their general play and shooting can improve and if it does, Knocknagree can take a vital stepping stone towards returning to a county final against Shamrocks.
A little disappointed but definitely not out of the equation summed up the opinion of Gabriels selector Luke Nolan.
“After leading for much of the hour, we handed over the initiative to Knocknagree midway through the second half and fell in arrears briefly only to bounce back and shoot the next four points in the closing stages. However while time remained, it meant Knocknagree were far from finished and we should have closed out the route for the equalising goal,” he said.
Mixed news for Gabriels in terms of key players with a recurring injury forcing veteran Pat Nolan out of involvement midway through the opening half but again the awesome Stephen O’Mahony emerged a colossus at midfield.
“Pat missed out against Ballyclogh and felt positive towards making a contribution whilst not for the first time, Stephen was again outstanding, he is a former Cork minor and deserves to be involved with the current senior side. Everybody is looking positively to the replay and preparations commence with a trip to the sea water”, said Nolan.
Meanwhile Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly readily agreed his side performed below par.
“We got out of jail, made alot of errors, our players demand much better from themselves yet their never say die spirit is unbelievable, coming back in most of our games, in the drawn game, our substitutes made a difference. The wides tally coupled with shots off the woodwork put us in a precarious position and if we repeat that in the replay, there is no doubt, we will be defeated.”
“Our will to win is enormous, that comes from being together on 104 occasions and 29 games this season, players that have changed the face of the club over the past three years, previously almost always expected to be defeated.
“That’s all changed but we know that we have to play much better in quality opposition in Gabriel Rangers that have come out of a competitive division to earn their crust,” said Daly.
And the Knocknagree manager expects another close contest between two sides entering the replay in a positive mood with a county final position at stake.
“Neither side deserved to lose the drawn game, its all to play on a return to a wonderful Naomh Abán venue, it makes us all proud to be part of the GAA, wonderful ground, wonderful setup and wonderful atmosphere.”