Knockbride ready to embrace Donaghmoyne challenge

By Niall Keenan

Knockbride have already accounted for Steelstown of Derry and Armagh champions Shane O’Neill’s to set up a mouth-watering Ulster Senior Championship semi-final against Monaghan neighbours Donaghmoyne who completed the senior double on Friday last with a high-scoring league final victory.

The Cavan champions are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against a Fontenoy's outfit who have regained their status atop the Farney game as they bid for a place in the Ulster Senior Championship final.

A pair of victories over Steelstown in the preliminary round and Shane O’Neill’s in the quarter-final have brought Paul Cahill’s side to within one game of the provincial decider, but they now face a formidable Donaghmoyne outfit who have set the standard in Ulster ladies football for years.

The Monaghan lynchpins have won 14 Ulster senior titles since 2004, seven of which came between 2013 and their most recent success in 2022. They went on to reach seven All-Ireland Finals emerging victorious in five of them.

Cahill was pleased with his team’s work rate and resilience in overcoming Shane O’Neill’s a fortnight ago, particularly when they had to dig deep to see out a tight finish.

“We felt the girls worked really hard throughout the game. They were on the front foot and we were in control for most of it, but we let Shane O’Neill’s back into it,” he said.

“Towards the end there wasn’t a lot in it, so it was a matter of gritting the teeth and working hard, seeing it through, and that’s what they did in fairness.”

That determination will be crucial against a Donaghmoyne side renowned for its organisation, experience and relentless work rate.

“We all know what Donaghmoyne have, who they are and what they have achieved. They have set the standards for everyone in Ulster, so we’re under no illusions about what we are up against,” Cahill acknowledged.

However, Knockbride will approach the semi-final with the same game-by-game mentality that has served them well throughout their campaign this season.

“The girls are embracing every game. They are working really hard and testing themselves, coming up against players they’ve never played against before,” he explained.

“Donaghmoyne is going to be a huge challenge, but we’re not going to look at it any differently. We’ll just go out and play the football that we can.”

Cahill believes matching Donaghmoyne’s intensity will be essential if Knockbride are to spring a surprise.

“We’ll have to, at the very least, match Donaghmoyne’s efforts, and I’d say surpass them. I think the only way to beat the likes of Donaghmoyne is to match them toe-for-toe for their work rate and hope you get the rub of the green at certain points of the game.”

He also stressed the importance of a collective performance against opponents whose strength extends well beyond a handful of individuals.

“You couldn’t pick out four or five players of their team because you’d only be doing an injustice to the rest of the team they have. It’s just trying to get matchups right and every girl going out and trying to better the player they’re marking.”

For Cahill, the Green and Red's progress has been built on instilling belief in a group that has continued to demonstrate its potential on the provincial stage.

“At the beginning of the year, it was just about trying to instil a bit of belief in themselves,” he said.

“There is so much more to them than just county players. As a group, they work really hard for each other. It was about getting that bit of belief that they were good enough, and they’re proving it.”

With a place in the Ulster final at stake, Knockbride will also hope to draw strength from another sizeable support.

Cahill was encouraged by the turnout for the Shane O’Neill’s game and expects a strong crowd for the semi-final.

“We’re hoping we’ll have the same turnout, maybe even more. Donaghmoyne, only half an hour up the road, will bring a big following with them as well, so we’ll be expecting a big crowd, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Knockbride have earned their place in the last four. Now, against one of Ulster’s most formidable sides, Cahill’s players can turn their growing belief into a place in the provincial final.