‘Reaching All Ireland final is the culmination of five years work’
NOT since 1993 has a Knocknagree player won an All-Ireland medal on the hallowed Croke Park sward, when John Buckley was part of a surprise Cork Minor football side that initially shocked Kerry in a Munster semi-final before upstaging a fancied Meath combination in the All-Ireland final.
Hopes of a Cork double floundered on the same afternoon when Derry upstaged Cork to lift the Sam Maguire for the only time.
The current Knocknagree success rate has the opportunity to scale new heights on Saturday when Matthew Dilworth leads a panel of 32 players into Croke Park for a showpiece final against Westmeath side Multyfarnham. Dilworth, along with Buckley, won All-Ireland U21 and Junior medals with Cork in rewarding careers.
Dilworth relates that all involved with Knocknagree are bursting with energy and ready to go with renewed vigour and passion in their search of outright honours.
Ten months ago, Knocknagree returned from Kiskeam with a five point victory over Castlemagner in the first game in their defence of the Duhallow JAFC. Little did new captain Dilworth or his colleagues know it was the start of a remarkable journey that reaches Croke Park on Saturday in search of an All Ireland title.
“I didn’t play in that opening round as I had dislocated my finger.
“Munster and All Ireland finals were the furthest from our minds but, reflecting, it’s the culmination of terrific work put in over the past five years that has earned our place in Croke Park,” he said.
Dilworth is quick to acknowledge the input of former captain and an incredible servant in Danny Cooper, who led Knocknagree to land back to back divisional titles.
“Danny was club captain for three seasons, leading the side to three Duhallow finals; he wanted to hand over the baton, for somebody else to take on the task. In essence, he is the real captain, a huge leader – there is a doubt concerning him; hopefully, he can take his place for we need his leadership.”
To reach Croke Park represents a remarkable story for a small community sitting on the county bounds, deservedly coming out on the right side to lift county and Munster titles, though Knocknagree relinquished their Duhallow title to neighbours Boherbue.
“Getting to a divisional final ensured we had a place in the county championship but there was hurt on losing out in Duhallow. We had to pick up the tempo and it happened to get the better of Delanys, Buttevant, Iveleary and Erins Own, to win a county final was a relief,” said Dilworth.
And Knocknagree were determined to keep the run going towards a first ever provincial success that knocked Dromid Pearses off the pedestal of a championship dominated by Kerry teams.
“We were fired up for the Munster final and to get over the line was special, much the same in the All Ireland semi-final – our workrate, the best, we produced in the campaign, winning turnovers and working back helped secure victory over Naomh Colmcille.
“The crowd in Mullingar was probably in the ratio of 3:1 in support of Knocknagree, that encouragement counted much to the victory on the field,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dilworth is under no illusions as to the size of the task in facing equally determined opponents in the final.
“In many ways we’re going into the unknown. It will take cool heads, and hopefully the surroundings won’t impact.
“There will be nerves before the game, that’s natural and positive, but once the first whistle is blown and the ball thrown in it will turn into a natural game and, fingers crossed, by the end of the hour, we will be ahead on the scoreboard.”