Knocknagree GAA

History

Located in the village of Knocknagree, about 5 km north of Rathmore on the Cork–Kerry border, Knocknagree GAA Club was founded in 1956, however, records show Knocknagree teams competing in the 1920s. Many Knocknagree men also lined out with various local clubs in the decades that followed. The club has spent the vast majority of its existence operaing in the junior grade.

Knocknagree had its first major success when, in 1966, the Duhallow JAFC title was won for the first time. The club later went on to dominate the divisional championship, with six titles being won in a seven-year period between 1978 and 1984. The last of these titles was converted into a Cork JAFC, following a 0–13 to 1–09 win over Mallow in the final. Knocknagree sent a number of years in the intermediate grade before regrading to the junior ranks once again. Three successive Duhallow JAFC titles were won between 1989 and 1991, with the club claiming a second Cork JAFC title in 1991.

The period between 2017 and 2025 could, arguably, be regarded as Knocknagree's most successful. The club won its third Cork JAFC title in 2017, before ending the year with the Munster Club JFC title. Knocknagree later beat Multyfarnham by 3–13 to 3–09 in the 2018 All-Ireland final. Further successes followed, with the club winning the Cork IFC title in 2019 and the Cork PIFC title in 2020. Knocknagree secured top tier status for the first time in their history when they won the Cork SAFC title in 2025, after a 2–17 to 0–17 win over Cill na Martra.

Honours

• Cork Senior A Football Championship (1): 2025
• Cork Premier Intermediate Football Championship (1): 2020
• Cork Intermediate Football Championship (1): 2019
• All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship (1): 2018
• Munster Junior Club Football Championship (1): 2017
• Cork Junior A Football Championship (3): 1984, 1991, 2017
• Duhallow Junior A Football Championship (12): 1966, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2015, 2016

Notable players

• John Fintan Daly
• Eoghan McSweeney
• Niall O'Connor
• Daniel O'Mahony

References

References

1. (29 December 2023). "New Knocknagree history book is a must-read for any and all GAA fans". The Corkman.
2. (30 January 2021). "Team of '66 broke new ground as Knock' landed first title". The Corkman.
3. (22 January 2009). "Knocknagree celebrate jubilee". The Corkman.
4. (6 February 2016). "Knocknagree GAA celebrates three generations of talent". The Corkman.
5. (27 October 2025). "How do you explain the magnitude of Knocknagree's rise to Cork football's top tier?". Irish Examiner.
6. (4 November 2017). "Knocknagree delight on return to Cork summit". The Corkman.
7. (4 December 2017). "Never-say-die Knocknagree land historic first club title". Irish Examiner.
8. (3 February 2018). "Knocknagree become first Cork side since 2008 to lift All-Ireland junior football crown". The 42.
9. (2 November 2019). "Knocknagree hold off late challenge from Gabriel Rangers to claim Cork IFC". Irish Examiner.
10. O'Callaghan, Therese. (1 August 2021). "Knocknagree's meteoric rise takes them into senior ranks with victory over Kanturk". Irish Examiner.
11. (26 October 2025). "Third time lucky as Knocknagree show their mettle in gripping Cill na Martra battle". Irish Examiner.
12. Tarrant, John. (28 October 2017). "Daly's years of dedication to the Knocknagree cause nears ultimate pay off". The Corkman.
13. (17 June 2020). "'Playing senior football with the division helps develop players for the top...'". Echo Live.
14. (7 March 2024). "Three players from Knocknagree on the Cork senior football panel is some achievement". Echo Live.