Whirlwind spell sees Knocknagree pull clear of Canovee to claim county title
Knocknagree 0-19 Canovee 0-8
KNOCKNAGREE’S slicker play proved all too much for a battling Canovee in the Co. Junior A Football League Final played at Ballincollig on Saturday.
A salvo of eight points without reply during the third quarter sent the newly crowned Munster JAFC winners on their way, ironically victory came at the expense of Cork’s last provincial winners in the grade when Canovee claimed the honours in 2007.
Starting without four of the side that overcame Dromid Pearses in the Munster Final six days previously, the latest victory was well deserved for Knocknagree who offered energy and purpose to deal with the enthusiasm of Canovee.
Indeed Knocknagree had laid out their stall from the outset with Eoghan McSweeney and Fintan O’Connor finding the target. In difficult underfoot conditions, Canovee grew into the game and enjoyed a fruitful return from points by James Moynihan and Conor Hughes to force parity.
Still Knocknagree remained that bit sharper with Tadgh Long, John Fintan Daly and James Dennehy posting points and it took a fine save by Canovee custodian Cormac O’Driscoll to deny team captain Matthew Dilworth.
It brought a spirited response from Canovee through the input of James McCarthy, Brian O’Donoughue, Aidan Murphy and Seán O’Connor. Mounting a series of attacks, points from Denis Murphy, O’Donoughue and Mark Healy helped cut the leeway 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.
However Knocknagree hit the ground running on the restart through the influence of Gary and Fintan O’Connor in addition to the promptings of McSweeney and John F Daly. And going forward, Knocknagree hit an enterprising spell of pressure, mixing neat play and recycling the ball splendidly, a run of points stormed Knocknagree well in the clear.
Trailing 0-16 to 0-6 at the three quarter mark, Canovee broke the sequel thanks to a pair of back to back points from Moynihan. Again Knocknagree answered for Daly and McSweeney to bisect the uprights.
Credit Canovee for they never waved the white flag of surrender on mounting a series of raids that required vital interceptions, the woodwork and alert Knocknagree custodian Pa Doyle to avoid the concession of a green flag.
At the full time whistle, Knocknagree landed victory and silverware in their 40th competitive game of the season. Good omens for the New Year as they look ahead to an All-Ireland JAFC semi-final against Donegal and Ulster champions Naomh Colmcille next month.
*Retiring County Board Children’s Officer Noel O’Callaghan presented the Jackie O’Shea Cup in memory of a great Donoughmore gael to Knocknagree captain Matthew Dilworth. KNOCKNAGREE: P Doyle; A Sheehan, S Daly, G O’Connor; M O’Mahony, K Buckley, K Daly; F O’Connor 0-2, D Cooper 0-1; J Dennehy 0-2, E McSweeney 0-8 (4f), T Long 0-1; M Dilworth 0-2, C White 0-1, J F Daly 0-2. Subs: C O’Leary for O’Mahony, J Carroll for S Daly, S Twomey for J F Daly, D Murphy for Long, B Hickey for Dilworth.
CANOVEE: C O’Driscoll; L Kelleher, J McCarthy, C Buckley; J O’Brien, B Ring, D Murphy 0-1; B O’Donoughue 0-1, M Dunne; G Lucey, A Murphy, J Moynihan 0-4f; C Hughes 0-1, S O’Connor, M Healy 0-1. Subs: M Walsh for Lucey, E Lyons for O’Brien, P Buckley for Ring. REFEREE: D White (St. Marys)