Five-goal Knocknagree power past outmatched Clyda

Knocknagree’s Gearóid Looney and Clyda Rovers’ Colin Kelly battle for possession. Picture: Chani Anderson

Cork SAFC: Knocknagree 5-17 Clyda Rovers 0-14

It was all Knocknagree in the Cork SAFC tie at Ballyclough on Sunday as the Duhallow men powered past the Mourneabbey side with the contest largely done and dusted by the interval.

With Cork star Conor Corbett operating as a waterboy thanks to his second cruciate ligament injury Clyda battled away to the very end but the writing was on the wall early on as John Fintan Daly’s charged showed no mercy on a blistering hot and uncomfortable day for Clyda Rovers.

Led in the scoring stakes by corner forward Anthony O’Connor, Knocknagree piled the pressure on the Mourneabbey men netting three times in the opening 30+ minutes and continuing to heap the pressure on after the interval two more goals in the second half cementing Knocknagree’s dominance on the score-board.

Anthony O’Connor was immense throughout however he was ably assisted by his full forward colleagues, Niall and Denis O’Connor as well as corner back Michael O’Mahony and centre back Donal O’Mahony, both bagged goals in the first half set up by the talented number 15.

Anthony claimed his second goal, his side’s fourth on 40 minutes with Denis O’Connor pitching in for the fifth 10 minutes from time.

Timmy O’Connor and Eoghan McSweeney also showed well in an opening half that showed all that was good about Knocknagree’s credentials at this level.

For Clyda, the full forward line of David Cooney, Conor Flanagan and Cian Walsh all scored as well as a brace from Kevin Graham but that six point haul was never going to be enough to keep them in touch in the first period.

Eoin and Aidan Walsh also showed well as did Colin Kelly, but the trio spent most of the first half chasing shadows, Knocknagree rampant for 20 of the 30 minute spell.

To Clyda’s credit they definitely didn’t give up, even when this one was well gone, with a terrific second half display from Eoin Walsh one of the bright points on what was a tough day for the Mourneabbey side.

Clyda have to regroup and go again for Round 3 where they will face a Newmarket side in the same position as themselves, a win a must, a loss out of the question, while for Knocknagree, a top of the table clash with Bishopstown awaits to see who will top the group – one, or both of these two sides will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Scorers for Knocknagree: A O’Connor 2-5 (three frees); D O’Connor 1-4; D O’Mahony, M O’Mahony 1-0 each; E McSweeney, N O’Connor 0-2 each; G Looney, Tadgh O’Mahony, P Doyle (One forty five), Timmy O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clyda Rovers: E Walsh 0-6 (three frees, one mark); K Graham 0-3; C Flanagan 0-2; C O’Sullivan, D Cooney, C Walsh 0-1 each.

KNOCKAGREE: R Doyle; M O’Mahony (c), K Buckley, G O’Connor; G Looney, D O’Mahony, T O’Connor; T O’Mahony, DV O’Connor; M Dilworth, E McSweeney, M McSweeney; DR O’Connor, N O’Connor, A O’Connor. 

Subs: J Dennehy for M Dilworth (34), D Moynihan for N O’Connor (50), D Twomey for A O’Connor (52).

CLYDA ROVERS: S Dennehy; E Walsh, C Kenny, M Forde; C O’Reilly, G Deane, A Walsh; D Walsh, A Kelly (c); C Kelly, C O’Sullivan, K Graham; D Cooney, C Flanagan, C Walsh. 

Subs: N Hanley for M Forde (ht); C Buckley for C Walsh (42), P Ryan for C O’Reilly (50), S O’Sullivan for D Cooney (53), J Buckley for A Kelly (59).

Referee: B Sweeney (Erins Own).