Daly wary of Rangers
NO matter the outcome here, both sides will operate at Premier intermediate ranks next season yet Knocknagree and Gabriel Rangers are keen to be promoted as champions. At the outset of the campaign back in April, Knocknagree were considered as one of the favourites with Gabriels down the pecking order.
However, Rangers have progressed on merit, digging deep in all their games to register narrow victories. And of course, they can vouch for a win over Knocknagree in the 2016 County JAFC semi-final replay before going on to land county honours from Shamrocks.
From their clash with Knocknagree three seasons ago, most of those in the big attendance would have put their money on the Duhallow side to claim victory in the replay after forging ahead by five points early in the second half.
However, Gabriels were always going to put heart and soul into a gritty revival, goals in both halves brought the West Cork champions right back into contention and ultimately, their courage was rewarded in a productive flourish to swing the outcome in dramatic fashion.
From the subsequent Munster campaign, the Mizen boys reached a provincial final, well beaten by eventual All Ireland winners Glenbeigh-Glencar. A few seasons at intermediate ranks, Gabriels are on the march again, upsetting the formbook to secure wins over Adrigole, Kinsale and Dromtariffe enroute.
Indeed, Gabriels have exhibited resilience and grit from a nice blend to the side. Keeper Darren O’Mahony hadn’t conceded too many goals, fronted by veteran Pat Nolan, Richard Moynihan and Danny McSweeney.
Big Stephen O‘Mahony is back from a long stint abroad, Gabriels fans hoping, he recovers from injury that prevented a showing against Dromtariffe to a game that Seán Kelleher and Sasha Walden performed well in the centre.
No surprise that the Gabriels full forward line have impressed, Mark Cronin, Eddie Goggin and Jordy O’Brien delivered 0-12 of their 0-16 in the semi-final. It’s obvious Gabriels have built up a terrific understanding as their campaign gathers momentum.
Of course, Knocknagree were touted as amongst the favourites at the outset, duly obliging on a triumphant march and easily
Of course, Knocknagree were touted as amongst the favourites at the outset of the competition
And in attack, at their best, Knocknagree can thrive on possession with the O’Connor brothers, Eoghan McSweeney, John Fintan Daly and Matthew Dilworth all capable of delivering scores. It’s fair to say that Knocknagree have justified the tag of favouritism placed on them since that opening preliminary round.
Of course, the unexpected can occur in any game and the general feeling is Gabriels will give it everything and are capable of testing the Duhallow side. However, Knocknagree are not lacking motivation, they failed to Rangers after two attempts in 2016 and surely itching to set the record straight.
From five games played, Knocknagree have maintained consistency throughout, impressing en route with their attractive brand of football creating daylight between themselves and the rest of the field.
On paper, Knocknagree have delivered the more impressive set of results and if another positive display is forthcoming, they are capable of landing a first time Intermediate title.
Verdict: Knocknagree
IT’S been a few years of terrific success for Knocknagree, team manager John Fintan Daly and his sideline crew part of the biggest days in the club history and eager to add to their roll of honour. Before a ball is kicked in Saturday’s County IFC decider, both Knocknagree and opponents Gabriel Rangers are assured of Premier ranks in 2020.
“Our priority at the start of the season was to gain league promotion from Division 4 in addition to reaching the championship final to ensure premier status next season. So far, it’s most encouraging, winning the league and our target now is to upgrade as championship winners,” he said.
Indeed, a rampant Knocknagree have been pretty ruthless in this campaign, preliminary first round opponents Kildorrery kept the margin to single figures at a nine point loss, subsequently, it’s been most impressive tallies for Knocknagree to claim a series of comprehensive victories.
Questioned about the one sided nature of the games, Daly has no fear of when the going gets tougher.
“One can only play what’s in front of you, the expectations are there, but if you’re not good enough, you‘ve to take it on the chin. When one comes under pressure, nobody is quite sure of the reaction, still our lads are battle hardened, a few defeats incurred yet a 42 man panel worked as hard for the league as they did in the championship,” he said.
Daly praises the commitment of his players that go to extraordinary levels to be involved with the club, illustrating the dedication of young full-back Michael Doyle.
“Michael is a bit of a dual player of sorts, a member of Cullen Pipe Band that participated in the World Championships in Scotland during the summer. The band finished their performance on a Saturday, little did I know of his desire, his father drove to Larne, fetched the ferry to Stranraer to pick Michael up off a train from Glasgow,” he said.
“They drove through the night, back home at 9am, all in good time to play in a challenge against Beál Ath’n Ghaorthaidh. That typifies the level of commitment of our lads that are aged between 18 and 34 years,” said Daly.
Key to the success of the Knocknagree team is the evolving nature of exciting talent coming on board to compliment the more experiences figures.
“When we won the All Ireland JAFC title, we had six players ready to come in from the Cork Development squads.
“They trained with us right the campaign, four of the six played against Millstreet in the semi-final, those players have come into the system and they play to our system,” said Daly.
Still the Knocknagree boss is cautious about the decider for Gabriels have proved competitive opponents over the years.
“The defeat in 2016 was a setback but we recovered and made amends the following season. From a league game back in July this year, we were lucky to come away from West Cork with a win, that suggests a great county final is on the cards,” he said.