Four goal Knocknagree down Robert Emmets
Knocknagree 4-11 Robert Emmets 0-10
THE old adage that goals win matches surfaced in Knocknagree after the home side powered past holders Robert Emmets in the opening round to The Corkman Duhallow Under 21 FC on Friday night.
A closer encounter had been anticipated, but Knocknagree held far too much power, pace and scoring ability for their opponents. Apart from a closely contested opening quarter, Knocknagree always looked the far more formidable on performing comfortable within themselves.
Early on, there was no obvious difference between the teams in a lively opening, the Newmarket and Lismire combination shading matters from points chalked down by Ryan O’Keeffe and Cian Crowley. However, Knocknagree had good cause to feel satisfied with the way matters proceeded after Timmy O’Connor found the net.
Emmets appeared to pull their game together after O’Keeffe pointed a pair of frees.
But that reprieve was shortlived, Knocknagree cranked up the intensity, rewarded on two quick fire goals by Paul and Timmy O’Connor.
Key to Knocknagree’s game was the defensive solidity of Michael Doyle and Glen Vaughan, Michael Mahoney and Paul O’Connor shaded the middle third with the O’Connors’ and Eoghan McSweeney showing well up front, it helped assume a 3-6 to 0-5 advantage at the break.
The margin left Emmets with a massive challenge for which they were not properly equipped to erase the deficit. Still, the play of the Brownes’, Crowley and O’Keeffe offered more urgency and purpose yet they failed to create inroads.
That contrasted to Knocknagree’s higher application levels that performed a significant role in setting the agenda. Indeed the balance of power remained with Knocknagree confirmed on a fourth goal netted by McSweeney.
Emmets looked to be counted out yet they refused to lose heart, O’Keeffe always capable of finding the target. Importantly, Knocknagree held strong performers in key positions with defenders Doyle and Vaughan storming forward to pick off terrific points.
There was an all round acceptance that the better team prevailed, the game moved towards its inevitable conclusion, Knocknagree firmly in the driving seat to complete an impressive performance.
KNOCKNAGREE: A O’Sullivan; A Sheehan, M Doyle; G Vaughan 0-3, D O’Mahony, L Sugrue; P O’Connor 1-0, M Mahoney 0-2; S Twomey, E McSweeney 1-3, David O’Connor; Denis O’Connor, T O’Connor 2-0 Subs: D Twomey for S Twomey, N O’Connor for D O’Connor, K Leader for A Sheehan , P Locke 0-1 for G Vaughan, G Looney for L Sugrue
ROBERT EMMETS: J O’Keeffe; D Lynn, D Norton; A O’Callaghan, P Browne, C Crowley 0-1; S McSweeney 0-1, C Browne, R O’Keeffe 0-8, C Field; B Newman, J Murphy
REFEREE: M J O’Keeffe (Dromtariffe)