Knock make the

John Tarrant reflects on yet another famous day for Knocknagree and says that this time around their defence won the day

HATEVER about systems and setting up defensive zones, individual skill and teamwork will always remain a priceless asset as demonstrated by Knocknagree in last Saturday’s All Ireland JAFC semi-final triumph over Ulster hopefuls Naomh Colmcille.

Knocknagree’s latest statement of intent warmed neutrals at a perishing Mullingar venue, on the day, the Duhallow side looked the better team, showed more composure in their play and crucially created more scoring opportunities than Colmcille to earn a deserved victory.

A sight rare enough for Cork teams to win at this level, Knocknagree had come into this All Ireland semi final following a long domestic road. Thereafter Knocknagree took down Kerry champions Dromid Pearses, the result sure to have pricked the ears of other contenders right across the country.

From a satisfactory outing in Mullingar, what delighted Knocknagree supporters most was the structured manner they conducted their business, a pleasing aspect saw the drills from the training ground against the backdrop of the Kerry mountains surface on the Cusack Park turf.

Indeed Knocknagree were more precise on the day when attackers Eoghan McSweeney, John Fintan Daly and company troubled seven Naomh Colmcille defenders on a regular basis.

Time and again during Knocknagree’s long haul in this championship, their attack won the plaudits, no doubting about that when Matthew Dilworth’s six points against Erins Own in the County Final was crucial as was Anthony O’Connor 1-7 tally from the Munster Final against Dromid.

Obviously Naomh Colmcille had their homework performed on curtailing Dilworth and O’Connor to a degree but this Knocknagree attack is more than an average combination, McSweeney, Daly and Fintan O’Connor left their signature on scoreboard in eyecatching performances with James Dennehy foraging positively.

From the County and Munster campaigns, the Knocknagree attack have won the plaudits for their enterprise and impressive scoring tallies. However from Mullingar, the Knocknagree defence stood up magnificently, often under rated, their solidity was most influential, their work ethic was pitched to such a