To Knocknagree victory
Knocknagree had started with a sense of urgency, their opening two attacks yielded points to brothers Anthony and Fintan O’Connor. The Duhallow side certainly laid their stall in that half, looking the more convincing side was beyond dispute.
At times, Aghabullogue attempted to prise an opening but took poor options that worked in favour of a competent Knocknagree rearguard where Michael Doyle, Gary O’Connor, Danny Cooper and Michael Mahoney led by example. That allowed Knocknagree retain the initiative for Anthony O’Connor and Eoghan McSweeney add points.
It took Aghabullogue all of 23 minutes for their only contribution to the scoreboard courtesy of a point from midfielder Seán O’Connell. If anything, Knocknagree strengthened their challenge, county u20 player Mahoney, the instigator for Denis O’Connor to John Fintan Daly Junior to goal for a clear 1-11 to 0-1 advantage at the break.
Indeed, the mountain became even steeper for Aghabullogue on the restart, as Denis O’Connor forced a turnover from a kickout, and his pass to Daly set up Anthony O’Connor to apply the simplest of finishes.
A follow up point to substitute Gearóid Looney widened the margin further before Knocknagree appeared to ease off the throttle. As the tempo dropped, Aghabullogue plugged away, their efforts rewarded from a well taken Luke Casey goal.
That score sparked a much needed Aghabullogue revival, Billy Casey, Evan O’Sullivan and Denis Quinlan adding points. Perhaps Knocknagree will be disappointed on not adding to the scoreboard during the closing quarter yet they gave semi-final opponents Millstreet food for thought during the opening 45 minutes.
KNOCKNAGREE: P Doyle; D O’Mahony, M Doyle, G O’Connor; D Cooper, K Buckley, M Mahoney 0-1; P Collins, D Moynihan; J Dennehy 0-1, E McSweeney 0-3, F O’Connor 0-2; Denis O’Connor, J F Daly 1-1, A O’Connor 1-4 (0-2f). Subs: G Looney 0-1 for F O’Connor (41), M Dilworth for Denis O’Connor (43), David O’Connor for P Collins (44), S Daly for D O’Mahony (53), N O’Connor for A O’Connor (56), P O’Connor for E McSweeney (59).
AGHABULLOGUE: D Moynihan; P Dilworth, C Smith, P Twomey; S Tarrant, P Ring, B Casey 0-1; S O’Sullivan, S O’Connell 0-1; J Murphy, I Barry Murphy, N Barry Murphy; L Casey 1-2 (0-1f, 0-1 ‘45’); E O’Sullivan 0-1, D Thompson. Subs: A Hogan for J Murphy (ht), M O’Regan for N Barry Murphy (ht), A Barry Murphy for S O’Connell (34), D Quinlan 0-1 for S Tarrant (39), T Bradley for D Thompson (56), M O’Sullivan for P Twomey (57).
REFEREE: M Sheehan (Liscarroll)