Quick return to action for Knocknagree

IT’S a quick return to action for both Knocknagree and Iveleary with a semi-final tussle in the County Junior A Football Championship in Millstreet on Saturday.

Both sides harbour ambitions of going all the way towards lifting outright honours and with no margin for error come at this stage of the season, it makes for a compelling contest. Iveleary are back in familiar territory just seven days after overcoming Bohebue in a quarter final in the Millstreet staging.

Earlier, their prospects received a jolt on incurring a loss to Kilmurry in the Mid Cork decider. However Iveleary were soon back in business after overcoming Valley Rovers in a county quarter final, that acted as a fillip boost on facing up to Duhallow champion Boherbue.

Not the best of starts for Iveleary on conceding an early 1-3 yet they worked their way through various difficulties with Donal Cotter, Daniel O’Riordan, Seán O’Leary, Brian Cronin, Cathal Vaughan and Chris Óg Jones prominent to steer the Muskerry hopefuls to victory.

Similar to Iveleary, Knocknagree entered the county championship as divisional runners up after relenting their Duhallow crown to Boherbue. Into the county campaign and winning in the manner as they did against city champions Delaneys was of huge encouragement for Knocknagree.

Again, a powerful showing against Buttevant in a quarter, goals from Anthony O’Connor and James Dennehy came from enterprising play generated by Kealan Buckley, Danny Cooper, Michael Mahoney and Matthew Dilworth.

Despite their reversals in respective divisional finals, this encounter sees two of the main protagonists for county glory go head to head. Barring a draw, one of the big contenders is going to be silenced.

To pick a possible winner is going to difficult between two football strongholds. For the third consecutive season, Knocknagree have advanced to the semi final stage, a replay denied them last autumn against eventual champions Gabriel Rangers, currently Knocknagree are playing attractive football and they appear good enough to progress and reach a county final.

RESULTS

Co. SFC semi final

Nemo Rangers 5-13 Duhallow 0-12

Co. Premier IFC semi final

St. Michaels 2-16 Newmarket 1-12

Co. IFC semi final

Kanturk 0-19 Kildorrery 2-6

Co. JAFC quarter finals Knocknagree 2-19 Buttevant 1-10 Iveleary 3-10 Boherbue 1-12

Russell Rovers 0-17 Kilbrin 2-10 FIXTURES

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7

Co. Premier IHC Final

Kanturk v Mallow, Pairc Uí Rinn, 7.30pm

Co. JAFC semi final

Knocknagree v Iveleary, Millstreet 4pm

Co. JBHC

Newmarket v Randal Og, Macroom 4pm

U21HC

Millstreet v St. Marks, Meelin 4pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8

JBFL quarter-finals

Rockchapel v Dromtariffe, Rockchapel 1pm Newmarket v Boherbue, Newmarket 2pm

JBHL

Tullylease v Kilbrin, Tullylease 2pm

North Cork MB1FC Final

Knocknagree v Sliabh Luachra Gaels, Boherbue 3pm

North Cork MB2FC Final

St. Peters v Doneraile, TBC, 3pm