Veteran Dennehy loving every minute of Knocknagree’s run

IT’S no coincidence that since James Dennehy returned from a spell in Canada, Knocknagree’s fortunes have reached a new level on winning a County JAFC and progressing to reach a Munster decider against Dromid Pearses.

Having enjoyed a stint in Toronto, playmaker Dennehy yearned to come back and join up with colleagues that were enjoying a run of positive results within the Duhallow division. The move has been productive, Dennehy a link man between defence and attack can get on the scoreboard too with telling scores.

“Once, I got over to Canada in 2014, I joined up with Toronto Gaels, the standard is high, some players had held inter county experience, the club enjoyed success on winning a number of competitions. Governed by the Ulster Council, the GAA is strong in the region with Cork man Sean Egan at the helm,” he said.

With seven participating clubs, competition is keen with clubs from Ottawa and Montreal also participating and it made for competitive fare where the GAA is up and running since 1947.

“I picked up the skills in Knocknagree and the experience of travelling to Canada helped broaden my game. As the season progressed in Toronto, training twice a week would be taken seriously as the leagues and championship reached the concluding stages,” he said.

Working full time in Toronto, Dennehy was keeping in close contact with home, Knocknagree making strides in the Duhallow league and championship.

“I would be talking to my mother and father, the feedback was positive all those miles away, the club getting better and better. After reaching a final against Millstreet in 2014 and though unsuccessful, they returned again, the following year to overcome Lyre,” he said.

“That enticed me to return home and I was part of a side that bettered neighbours Cullen in the 2016 Final. This season has been pretty tough, two great games with Boherbue, Iveleary were the toughest opponents, but Delaneys, Buttevant and Erins Own were no pushover.”

As the winning momentum continued it allowed Knocknagree carry the Cork flag with distinction on the provincial route.

“Its been pretty straight forward to date, but the Munster Final is going to be a massive and physical game. South Kerry is the home of football but there is no better feeling than to play against teams from the Kingdom and hopefully defeat a Kerry team in a final,” said Dennehy.

And Dennehy spoke of Dromid Pearses as an experienced team who seem to have a facility to come out the winners of tight games.

“We’re under no illusions, we’re going into this final as underdogs, but it’s a great position to be in, we’re in a final and 60 minutes away from possibly winning a Munster Final, that will drive us on,” he said.