Seeds set in 1956 ready to blossom on the big stage
KNOCKNAGREE GAA forms the hub of a vibrant local community along the county bounds, with the past season a remarkable story of success, winning the Co. JAFC and proceeding to lift a first time provincial title, the juggernaut is now bound for Croke Park.
Holding a long history of Gaelic football, records show Knocknagree teams competing in the 1920s, and many Knocknagree men played with Gaelic football teams on both sides of the border in the 1930-50s.
It wasn’t until 1956 that a Knocknagree GAA club was formed, competing in the Duhallow championship for the first time in 1957. Success was not instant for Knocknagree, needing to wait until September 11, 1966 for their first taste of championship success when they defeated Castlemagner in the Duhallow final after a replay.
That historic side lined out as Phil O’Sullivan, Tim Joe Hickey, Noel Casey, Batt Rahilly, Timmie O’Connor, Denis Hickey, Connie O’Sullivan, Pat Casey, Frank O’Riordan, Pat Walsh – Capt, Michael Casey, Aenus ‘Anine’ Murphy, Small Jerry McSweeney, Fr. Danny O’Connor, Fr. M. Hurley, Big Jerry McSweeney, Denny Rahilly, Liam Casey, Jack Casey, Eugene Casey, Dan Francis Murphy, Brendie O’Neill, Jack McSweeney, Michael O’Halloran; selectors - John P Bradley, Paddy Conway, Micheal O’Sullivan.
The famous team of 1966, captained by Pat Walsh, paved the way for future successes with Knocknagree going on to dominate Duhallow football for periods of the 1970s, 80s and 90s; Knocknagree winning Duhallow titles in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and adding the county title in 1984.
Underage success saw Knocknagree compete against the best; teaming up with Ballydesmond, the pair formed under the Pobal Uí Chaoimh banner. Their biggest success bettered the mighty Nemo Rangers in the County Minor Football Championship of 1978, the first victory by any ‘country’ team in that championship for more than a decade.
After a spell in the intermediate ranks, Knocknagree returned to Junior level to claim three more titles in 1989-1991. This period of dominance culminated in Knocknagree winning the County JAFC again in 1991.
With a team featuring some of Knocknagree’s and Duhallow’s all time greats, under the leadership of Denny Howard, the 1991 Knocknagree team, captained by Sean Sheehan, battled their way past Carrigaline and Urhan, after a replay, to set up a county final with the Milford side Deel Rovers. In an exhilarating game played in Kanturk, Knocknagree fought bravely ‘til the end to overcome a battling Deel Rovers side at the death and bring the title back to Knocknagree.
Lining out for Knocknagree were Denny O’Connor, Seamus O’Sullivan, Donal O’Connor, Sean Sheehan (capt), Donie Fitzgerald, John F Daly, Gerard O’Connor, Finbar O’Connor,, Declan Guiney, Jeremiah O’Sullivan, Anthony Cronin, Eamon McSweeney, Pat O’Connor, John Murphy, Paud Walsh, Niall O’Connor, Maurice Hickey, Seamus Fleming, Sean Walsh, Tim O’Connor, Brendan O’Connor, Patrick Mahony, Benny Joe O’Connor, Denny Buckley, Eamonn McSweeney, Patrick Murphy, Gerard McSweeney; trainer – Denny Howard; selectors – Brendan Hickey, Andy O’Halloran, Vincent Hickey.
2015 saw Knocknagree bridge a gap of 24 years to reclaim the Duhallow title, defeating Lyre after a replay in Boherbue. This victory was a huge breakthrough for the club, finally collecting the cup after narrowly falling short for many years.
Not keen to rest on this success, the team of 2016 set out to reclaim their title, doing so overcoming Cullen. Though Knocknagree forefeited their divisional crown to Boherbue last autumn, they hit a roller coaster journey, not only did Knocknagree realise a county ambition, they progressed to halt Kerry’s domination in the Munster JAFC to land provincial honours and secure a ticket to Croke Park.
Tasting county and provincial success in 2017 were Pa Doyle, Michael Mahoney, Gary O’Connor, Kealan Buckley, Karl Daly, Donagh Moynihan, Paul O’Connor, Danny Cooper, Padraig Collins, James Dennehy, Eoghan McSweeney, Fintan O’Connor; Matthew Dilworth, John F Daly, Anthony O’Connor, Andrew Sheehan, Chris White, Tomás Cooper, Chris O’Leary, Tadgh Long, Donal Leader, Seán Daly, David O’Connor, Seán Twomey, Daniel Murphy, Jerry Carroll, Donagh O’Mahony, Liam Sugrue, Brian Hickey, Alan O’Sullivan, Glen Vaughan, Timmy O’Connor.
Management: John Fintan Daly Senior, John Horgan, Billy O’Neill, Edmund McSweeney.