KNOCKMORE CAN MAKE ALL IRELAND CUT
GAA News 12 March 1997
All Ireland Club
Final preview
By John Melvin
THE BIBLE tells us many are called but few are chosen. Garrymore and
Castlebar were indeed called, but, it does appear that Knockmore could be
the chosen ones as they appear to have all the credentials to be the first
team from Connacht to win the All Ireland Club senior football.
They are pitted against Armagh and Ulster champions Crossmaglen, a club, just like Knockmore, steeped in rural traditions and whose success has been achieved by a passionate loyalty to the local parish.
It has the makings of a fascinating contest in a western double which starts at 2.00 on St Patrick's Day with Athenry well fancied in the hurling final which precedes the football final commencing at 3.30.
Knockmore's path to the final has been well documented. Manager Eamon Clarke (see back page interview) put it into perspective when he said the real battle only began after they beat Eire Og to qualify for the final.
Assessing Knockmore's superb display against Eire Og's apparent lethargy has made it difficult for the backroom boys to asses just how good they are. But Clarke and his mentors have put in many hours watching the video of Crossmaglen's win over holders Laune Rangers and he knows his side is in for a torrid time. But objective opinion feel Knockmore are in with a great chances.
G.A.A. P.R.O. Danny Lynch believes Knockmore can pull this one off if they can contain the Armagh at midfield.
"They are very strong in this department and their tendency to crowd this area could pose a few problems here for the Mayo men", he said.
"If Knockmore win midfield they will win the game", he confidently predicted.
And he could be right. And Knockmore will not hold any fears of midfield given the strength and mobility of Kevin Staunton and the adaptability and work rate of his partner, Declan Dempsey.
Knockmore have a couple of more aces in my view. They haver a handful of players who are very familiar with the big stage of Croke Park and it is my belief the Knockmore forwards will thrive if they get the proper service, with the ball placed in front of them chest high, as did they in the semi-final. They have plenty of pace and power in the key positions. of service will thrive in the open spaces if they get the kind of service they got int eh semi-final.
Padraig Brogan, Kevin O'Neill and Ray Dempsey are old hands and should be very familiar with every blade of grass at headquarters.
And while the big names and the big guns will be expected to fire, it could be the lesser light of Fergal Sweeny, Declan Sweeney and Graham 0'Hora that could very well shine on the day.
Knockmore are lucky to have the star quality in defence of Peter Butler. It has bene a remarkable year for the centre back. Having come back from serious injury his is on the verge of a return to the county colours and is certainly playing top quality football at the moment. His leadership and attacking ability could be the key for Knockmore.
Fergus Sweeney is another defender who has played remarkably well throughout the campaign while Cathal Naughton, Tom Burke, Joe Davis have all contributed substantially to brining Knockmore to within sixty minutes of the title.
Goalkeeper Patrick Reape has also been a key player in Knockmore's success and th decision to bring him out of early retirement was vindicated by his semi-final performance.
So, those are all the positive points. Knockmore are well balanced, well matured and well capable of handling the psychical stuff if Crossmaglen decide to dish it out.
On the negative side they are prone to errors, particularly in their use of possession and at this level, you must convert your chances into scores. On a few occasions in the semi-final Knockmore put pressure on themselves when they lost possession and the more experienced players must be able to lift their game on the day, and show the way by example.
Crossmaglen are very much a tight knit community club who are also making their first final appearance. Oisin McConville, one of three brothers on the side is their top marksman while Cathal Shortt, Anthony Cunningham, John McEntee, Colm O'Neill and Tony McEntee have not been shy when it comes finding the posts at regular intervals.
The Burren, Bellghy and Castleblaney are all big clubs in Ulster and they all in turn fell to the Armagh men who disposed of hot favourites, laune Rangers of Kerry, to reach the final.
John McEntee and Anthony Cunningham are a very strong midfield partnership and a lot will depend on how this battle works out. Knockmore have a few options should they run into difficulties but I expect Stuanton and Dempsey to be able handle this very young Armagh partnership.
The Knockmore forwards will can expect to be tightly marked by a very strong defence, notably Joe Fitzpatrick, Gary McShane, Francis Belle, Donald Murtagh and Martin Califf along with a good full back in Paddy McKeown.
This is Knockmores third attempt to claim the one title that has eluded them, and indeed every club in Connacht.
I have a feeling their hour is at hand and they not only have been called
but they have been chosen to bring home a much sought after all Ireland.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - March 1997
