Knocknagree finish strong to better Duhallow neighbours Newmarket

Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly expressed concern at shooting 13 wides and his side were also denied a number of clear-cut goal opportunities.

Sat, 27 Jul, 2024 - 22:41

John Tarrant

Senior AFC: Knocknagree 0-15 Newmarket 0-11

THE DUHALLOW bragging rights go to Knocknagree after overcoming Newmarket in the Senior 'A' FC Group C opening round clash at Ballydesmond.

Looking the more complete side yet far from their best in terms of converting scoring opportunities, Knocknagree’s work rate and teamwork surfaced over the greater portion of the hour.

Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly expressed concern at shooting 13 wides and his side were also denied a number of clear-cut goal opportunities.

“Both sides came into the game with injuries and unavailable players, we expected a tough battle. Derby meetings carry a character of their own, the modern game is a game of patience, though we missed chances, we’re happy to come out the gate with the win”, he said.

“We had to chisel out scores, that’s a credit to the Newmarket defence but we introduced experience in terms of substitutions, the likes of Anthony O’Connor and Matthew Dilworth made a difference when Newmarket began to tire."

There was no obvious separation between the sides early on, with the teams sharing six points.

Steadily, Knocknagree took a grip, central to their superiority was the powerful presence of Daniel O’Mahony at centre-back, well supported by Donagh Moynihan and Denis O’Connor shooting excellent points in attack.

Newmarket rallied with points from Darren O’Keeffe and Barry O’Connor yet their ‘keeper Josh O’Keeffe had to be at his best on a fine save from Denis O’Connor.

That allowed Newmarket to remain in the hunt and trail 0-9 to 0-7 at the interval.

Though Knocknagree dominated a scoreless 11 minutes on the restart, they ruined excellent approach work with poor shooting.

It took a Cathal Browne point for Newmarket to rouse Knocknagree, three points in succession confirmed their superiority.

Newmarket roared their way back, points from Hugh O’Connor and substitute Ryan O’Keeffe left the minimum between the sides.

Newmarket lost Gavin Forde to a red card, which allowed Knocknagree to push on. Cork player Eoghan McSweeney and Denis O’Connor delivered crucial points during the latter stages.

The outcome bodes well for Knocknagree ahead of facing Clyda Rovers in the next round, while Newmarket seek a return from a clash against Bishopstown to revive their interest.

Scorers for Knocknagree: D R O’Connor 0-5 (0-2f), E McSweeney (0-3), M McSweeney, D O’Connor, P Doyle (f), T O’Connor, G Looney, T O’Mahony, A O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Newmarket: H O’Connor 0-3 (0-2f), B O’Connor (0-3), D O’Keeffe (0-2), P Allen, C Browne, R O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

KNOCKNAGREE: P Doyle; T O’Connor, K Buckley, G O’Connor; D Moynihan, D O’Mahony, M Mahoney; T O’Mahony, D O’Connor; G Looney, E McSweeney, M McSweeney; J Dennehy, N O’Connor, D R O’Connor.

Subs: A O’Connor for N O’Connor (42), M Dilworth for G Looney (47), D Twomey for J Dennehy (51).

NEWMARKET: J O’Keeffe; J O’Connor, R Lynn, G Forde; A Browne, P Allen, M Browne; M Cottrell, C Browne; D O’Keeffe, H O’Connor, P Browne; T Ryan, B O’Connor, D Cottrell.

Subs: R O’Keeffe for T Ryan (35), D Hannon for D Cottrell (45), B Daly for J O’Connor (45), A Ryan for A Browne (59).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).