Duarigle Gaels and Knocknagree chase U-21 prize

THE meeting of Knocknagee and Duarigle Gaels is sure to generate appeal in the “Central Stores, Kanturk U21B Football Championship Final in Kiskeam on this Friday night.

Given competitive games enroute with little separating the majority of the keen tussles, it the makings of a fascinating decider between two matched sides. Indeed with a degree of luck, a number of other combinations could had made the decider yet the two finalists are there on merit.

To date, holders Duarigle Gaels have done all what was asked of them and that includes a win over Knocknagree in a hotly contested opening round. Here Duarigle Gaels were pushed all the way by a gutsy Knocknagree in a thrilling contest, on the balance of play, the Cullen and Millstreet combination just about deserved their victory.

Challengers Knocknagree can take alot of positives from a game that hung in the balance right up to the last whistle as a number of late chances went abegging. After Knocknagree claimed the game’s opening goal early in the second half, the Gaels refused to be ruffled and thundered back into the fray to land two major flags to clinch a narrow victory.

Duarigle waited a number of weeks for their semi final, holding too much firepower for Boherbue with goals from Neil Flahive, Darragh Cashman and Colin O’Leary in the opening half setting the tone for a comfortable win,

The reigning holders will look to the input of Shane Hickey, Francis Cronin and Cormac Hickey in defence with Colin Walsh and Patrick Dineen likely starters in midfield. Up front, Michael Twomey, O’Leary and Flahive can inspire confidence.

Knocknagree fielded without county panelist Michael Mahoney in round 1 but their sharpness has picked up in an eventful series of games in the back door. They came good in extra time to better neighbours Sliabh Luachra Gaels.

Thanks to an all important goal deep into injury time from Glen Vaughan at the end of the extended hour, Knocknagree fought back to force extra time. The pair kept everybody in suspense on a chilly night until Denis O’Connor pointed a match winning free close to the finish.

No problems for Knocknagree against Croke Rovers in a one sided quarter final but from a marvellous semi, Knocknagee rallied impressively to deny Kanturk thanks to another extra time flourish.

Though operating from a small panel, Knocknagree parade a skillful side, Michéal Doyle and brothers Tadgh and Daniel O’Mahony are formidable in in defence while at midfield, Michael Mahony and Vaughan bring a strong presence that can feed long and short ball into target man Paul O’Connor and supporting players Niall and Denis O’Connor can test any defence.

There is little to separate the sides, both teams will feel, its within their capabilities to win following challenging tests earlier in the campaign. Its fair to say, Knocknagree have played attractive football, evident from their displays over Sliabh Luachra Gaels and Kanturk.

Indeed with the momentum behind them Knocknagree will fancy their chances of overturning the opening round reversal but from the makings of a cracking contest, Duarigle won’t relent their crown too easily.