Knocknagree take ‘once in a lifetime’ shot at glory

Sunday morning in Knocknagree. Two women, one in a pink dressing gown pulling gingerly on a cigarette, stand nattering at a front door. All else is quiet.

The village, sitting half a mile east of the River Blackwater on the Cork-Kerry border, is festooned in blue and white. Six days out from the All-Ireland junior club football final and no effort or, indeed, paint, has been spared in decking the place out.

The fence enclosing the village green is covered by multiple signs carrying best wishes from various people and establishments. One blue placard reads ‘county champions’, the sign next to it says ‘Munster champions’. There’s space for a third one, should they get the job done at Croke Park this afternoon.