Knocknagree’s ascent to the top tier of Cork football is complete after they defeated a resilient Cill na Martra side in the McCarthy Insurance Group Senior ‘A’ Football Championship final. This victory, hard-earned at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, makes it third time lucky in the final for the Duhallow club, which only seven years ago was competing at Junior A level.

Knocknagree established a substantial lead in the first half, aided by the wind, going into the break ahead by 2-9 to 0-6. Their dominance was sealed by two key goals in the opening period. The first, coming early, set the tone for the half, followed by a second major after a turnover saw them capitalise on space in the Cill na Martra defence.

Despite falling behind by 2-12 to 0-7 early in the second half, the Gaeltacht team refused to surrender. Drawing on their battling qualities, they mounted a steady comeback, chipping away at the deficit through points and a crucial two-point score. With the gap reduced to four points, the tension mounted as Cill na Martra pushed for a goal.

However, Knocknagree demonstrated the maturity of a team ready for the top grade. Their two Cork inter-county players, Daniel O’Mahony and Eoghan McSweeney, delivered decisive moments. Knocknagree’s defence, anchored by the accurate kicking of goalkeeper Patrick Doyle, held firm. In injury time, Doyle produced a wonderful save to deny a Cill na Martra goal that would have halved the deficit. A final point from Niall O’Connor confirmed the 2-17 to 0-17 victory, cementing Knocknagree’s status as the new Senior A champions and earning them promotion to the Premier Senior grade.

 

Scorers for Knocknagree: N O’Connor 1-3, A O’Connor 0-4 (0-2 f), David O’Connor 1-0, G Looney, E McSweeney, Denis R O’Connor, David Twomey 0-2 each, M McSweeney, P Doyle (0-1 45) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cill na Martra: J Mac Cárthaigh 0-6 (0-4 f), D Ó Duinnín 0-4 (1 2pt, 0-2 f), S Ó Duinnín, C Ó Forréidgh (2pt) 0-2 each, D Ó hUrdail, D Ó Conaill, T Ó Corcora 0-1 each.

KNOCKNAGREE: P Doyle; M Mahoney, C Buckley, G O’Connor; G Looney, Daniel O’Mahony, T O’Connor; M McSweeney, David O’Connor; D Twomey, E McSweeney, C Cronin; Denis R O’Connor, N O’Connor, A O’Connor.

Subs: F O’Connor for D Twomey (49), M Dilworth for Denis R O’Connor (54), T O’Mahony for David O’Connor, Denis O’Mahony for T O’Connor (both 60+3).

CILL NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; F Ó Faoláin, D McLochlainn, T Ó Corcora; S Ó Forréidh, D Ó Conaill, C Ó Meachair; A Ó Cuana, G Ó Goilllidhe; J Mac Cárthaigh, C Ó Duinnín, D Ó Duinnín; S Ó Duinnín, D Ó hUrdail, E Ó Conaill.

Subs: C Ó Forréidh for O’Conaill (25, injured), C Mac Lochlainn for Ó hUrdail (51), A Ó Duinnín for Ó Cuana (59, injured).

Referee: C Murphy (Glanworth).