Can triumph
in 2007.
A late equaliser by Fintan O’Connor put the Munster decider into extra-time and Knocknagree’s only goal just before the break in the additional period from Anthony O’Connor emerged the crucial score.
There is a neat balance to the Knocknagree team anchored by Gary O’Connor, Kealan Buckey and Donough Moynihan in defence, Danny Cooper and Padraig Collins will need to at their best in midfield to match strong opponents and in attack, the O’Connors, Eoghan McSweeney, Matthew Dilworth and John F Daly are capable of carving out scores.
For Naomh Colmcille, the highs of the 2017 season are a marked difference to the low of the previous year when the Newtowncunningham side were relegated from intermediate ranks, having contested a county final in 2015.
Though defeated in a round robin series in the preliminary stages to the 2017 campaign, they upset the odds in the knock-out phase, cast as This contest is likely to be a great battle for supremacy, both sides come into the frey with momentum
underdogs in all three games to better Moville, Letterkenny and Red Hughs to land Donegal silverware.
And with no great record by Donegal teams in previous Ulster JAFC campaigns, Naomh Colmcille were again viewed as outsiders.
But not for the first time, they upset a number of contenders to dispose the challenge of Ballymachugh (Cavan), Tattyreagh (Tyrone) and Belnaleck (Fermanagh) to clinch a first time title for Donegal.
A follow up trip to Edinburgh saw Colmcille enjoy another triumph over Dunedin Connollys in a lone All Ireland quarter final thus a step closer to Croke Park. Featuring a number of players with inter county experience, full-back Alan Deveney is ever competent; midfielders Michael Lynch and Daniel Clarke were part of last season’s Ulster-winning Donegal Under 21 squad.
And in attack, Ryan McErlean, Matthew Crossan and Willie Gillespie are capable of finding the target.
This contest is likely to be a great battle for supremacy, both sides come into the fray with plenty of momentum behind them. Weather conditions might well play a part and one expects a dog fight in Mullingar to determine the spoils.
Just as they did against Dromid Pearses in the Munster Final, Knocknagree will need to dig deep once again, be patient and if they bring their shooting boots to the table, they can secure victory.
Verdict: Knocknagree