Knock’s time
John Tarrant previews Knocknagree’s clash with Westmeath and Leinster kingpins Multyfarnham this Saturday
HE mention of an All Ireland JAFC Final is sure to rise the temperatures in terms of anticipation both in Knocknagree and Multyfarnham this weekend.
Croke Park in February was furthest from the thoughts of both contenders as they searched for a long awaited breakthrough in their respective county championship last autumn, what followed proved to be a remarkable few weeks yet Multyfarnham and Knocknagree are hopeful their finest hour is soon at hand and take silverware on the famous steps on Jones Road.
Its fair to say, both sides have got stronger as their campaigns progressed, no doubt learning from disappointments over recent years to end long droughts and bounce brilliantly back into the limelight much to the joy of success starved supporters.
Within Cork, upwards of 90 teams vie for the Co. JAFC each year, the competition played off in eight district divisions where up to 2016, the eight divisional winners progressed to the county championship series.
Knocknagree had come to light to land Duhallow titles in 2015/16, but hopes of repeating a county title from 1991 have faltered on subsequent county semi losses to eventual champions Bandon and Gabriel Rangers.
Seen as warm favourites to complete a three in-a-row at divisional level, providing the springboard for a county assault yet 2017 proved a bumpy road for Knocknagree in a roller coaster campaign. Neighbours Boherbue made light work of the underdog tag and shocked the holders in a replay after two epic confrontations.
Not entirely lost for Knocknagree, a revamped county championship saw the green light for two teams to go forward from each division into the county series, Knocknagree remained involved and a wake up call set their sights on a bigger prize.
Duhallow winners Boherbue fell to Iveleary, Knocknagree having returned to winning ways by despatching Delaneys and Buttevant enjoyed key breaks to shade Iveleary in a thrilling semi-final.
That placed Knocknagree into a decider that ultimately delivered glory at the expense of Erins Own.
No disputing the merits of Knocknagree’s triumph. On the day, they emerged the better balanced and more composed side and crucially held far more scoring options up in attack with team captain Matthew Dilworth and Anthony O’Connor in fine shooting form that inscribed their name on the county cup for the third occasion and the first time since 1991.
Not only did Knocknagree realise a county ambition, they progressed to halt Kerry’s domination in the Munster JAFC to land provincial honour, Kingdom teams had chalked up ten consecutive wins, many of the triumphant sides progressed to land All Ireland honours.
Knocknagree entered the fray against Dromid Pearses as outsiders but from a gripping struggle for supremacy that required extra time to determine, O’Connor’s goal allowed a Cork