PLUS: A look back at the sporting highlights of 2017 in Cork
IT’S fair to say Duhallow teams enjoyed a most productive return in terms of county football championship silverware from the past year. All of fourteen teams from the division featured in county championship fare, the outcome most satisfying, three outright wins and three runner up places.
Pride of place belong to Kanturk and Knocknagree, joy too for Dromtariffe in U-21 football. Elsewhere, small margins denied Kilbrin, St. Johns and Robert Emmets from adding to the list of conquests from a hectic season enjoyed by Duhallow clubs.
At intermediate football, Kanturk’s outright triumph was the culmination of steady improvement over recent years, elevating up to play in the County Football League Division 2 and though involved in a competitive hurling campaign too, they were in a great position to create an impact with the bigger ball after being close in previous campaigns.
From a marvellous opening round, Kanturk got the measure of Mitchelstown before a depleted side laboured to overcome Rockchapel. With hurling commitments thrown in, not too easy to prepare for football yet a resolute Kanturk got the measure of Glanworth in a quarter final played in wind, rain and heavy conditions.
The winning groove continued with a competent showing against Kildorrery, Kanturk reaching a decider and familiar opponents Mitchelstown awaited. From another cracking contest, ‘Town provided Kanturk with their toughest challenge, but at the end of the hour, Kanturk had enough quality and guile to sway a titanic tussle.
Mitchelstown began positively, scoring three points in as many minutes yet they flattered to deceive as Kanturk inspired by the scoring exploits of the Walsh brothers enjoyed a narrow 0-7 to 0-6 grip at the break.
On the turnover, Mitchelstown turned matters around though inaccurate shooting blighted their game and Kanturk ‘keeper Jordan Fullerton performed heroics between the posts. And as the game advanced, the imposing presence of a physically stronger Kanturk told to shoot five unanswered points, good enough to lay claim on silverware to complete a fabulous double.
That prompted scenes of great celebration with the sizeable Kanturk following taking to the Pairc Uí Rinn turf to celebrate a rewarding decade, Kanturk adding to their County JAFC title in 2011 and they can look optimistically ahead to the Premier Intermediate grade.