Has arrived
team squeeze through for a rare triumph.
Next up were Naomh Colmcille from Donegal in the All Ireland semi-final, goals win games, so it proved for Knocknagree on netting a pair in the opening half though the gloss from a competent performance was overshadowed by injuries picked up by influential midfielder Danny Cooper and Eoghan McSweeney that puts a question mark over their involvement in the final.
To perform in Croke Park will be a new phenomenon for the Knocknagree players though coach John Fintan Daly holds pleasant experiences, the Knocknagree native guided Kerry side Miltown Castlemaine to All Ireland IFC accolades in 2012.
His opposite number Louis Ennis can take credit for Multyfarnham’s rate of improvement that made up for more than six decades of disappointment to emerge on top in Westmeath and offered impressive form to reach Croke Park.
After a frustrating spell in the wilderness that included back to back county final defeats in 2014/15 to Moate and Miltown, Multy took plenty of encouragement in the 2017 group stages, a consistent run secured a semi If really pushed Knocknagree are capable of shading the outcome by a small margin
final and a win over Athlone prior to seeing off Ballynarcargy in the decider to bridge a 61 year famine.
And Multy showed they possessed the talent to go with the best in Leinster – bettering Laragh (Wicklow), Crossabeg / Ballymurn(Wexford) and a goal in each half by full-forward Max Brady shocked a fancied Erin Rovers (Offaly) in the provincial final.
With a first Leinster title under their belt, Multy turned their attention to an All Ireland semi final their clash with Laherdane McHales of Mayo turned out to a thriller. Again Multy defied the odds to upset the John Maughin coached McHales and continue a marvellous run of success.
From a series of consistent performances, Multy are passionate about their football, sharp and focused with new inter-county manager Colin Kelly casting an eye on central players Ronan Wallace and Anthony McGivney.
Experts that have seen both Multy and Knocknagree play in key games in Cusack Park, Mullingar spoke of two attacking teams with plenty of momentum behind them in the aftermath of semi-final wins.
That indicates a great battle for supremacy will enfold in Croker, both sides coming into the contest with a string of positive results to their credit and rewarded on county and provincial silverware.
Their next hour or so is full of intrigue, it’s the last step of a long journey for both sides, perhaps the hardest challenge of all to take because of the occasion that is attached to Croke Park.
A battle to the wire is forecasted, one thing is certain, a new chapter will be written into a special day for one Junior Football club on Saturday afternoon. If really pushed, Knocknagree are capable of shading the outcome by a small margin to complete the fairytale.
Verdict: Knocknagree