ALAN O’Regan can see similarities between his native Castletownbere and Cill na Martra where he’s involved as a coach.

These are two communities that love football and go the extra mile for the local clubs – and that support makes all the difference.

‘Football is part of their DNA in Cill na Martra,’ says O’Regan, as the Mid Cork club counts down to Sunday’s county senior A football final against Knocknagree at Páirc Uí Chaoimh (1.30pm).

‘They don't have hurling, though a couple of the lads play with Aghabullogue, which is great. But football is their be-all and end-all.

‘Whether you're retired or not, you're still involved in the GAA here – it's just a way of life for them. They have this great attitude and culture. There is more than just the players involved – it’s the volunteers, the supporters, the community.’

Gerard Healy – an uncle to Irish sprint sensation Phil Healy – is a great example.

‘He is Mr Cill Na Martra!’ O’Regan says.

‘We arrive at training an hour beforehand and his jeep is there before us, getting everything ready and prepared. He's a huge asset to the club and to the community.’

The Cill na Martra community has enjoyed some great days out in recent seasons, memorably capturing the county premier intermediate title in 2023, then conquering Munster and contesting an All-Ireland final. Now, they are one step away from the top tier of club football in the county, but favourites Knocknagree stand in their way.

‘We have to put in our biggest performance to date to get over the line,’ says Healy, who joined Cill na Martra as a coach at the start of the 2024 season when another Castletownbere man, Morgan O’Sullivan, took over as manager.

‘Knocknagree have been the favourites from the outset, have been the form team, were in the final last year, so we know the challenge ahead. We have great belief in ourselves and know what we are capable of producing too, but you have to respect Knocknagree and what they have achieved so far.’

The key is to produce the goods on the big day. Here, Cill na Martra have muscle memory from 2023 when they contested finals and normalised the big occasions.

‘Páirc Uí Chaoimh can be daunting in terms of the set-up, the rules, the timings, etc. Having been there a couple of years ago, that helps. Obviously, Knocknagree know it well too, and that helps both teams in terms of the preparation – nothing new is being thrown at you.’

When these two clashed in the opening game of the SAFC group stage, it was a stalemate, 2-17 to 3-14. A thriller. Cill na Martra had led by 12 points at one stage, but needed a late Ciarán Ó Duinnín point to salvage a draw. After that, the Muskerry men beat Fermoy (1-20 to 1-10) and Clyda Rovers (0-15 to 0-12) before beating Éire Óg (1-17 to 1-13) in the semi-final.

‘Against Éire Óg everything went right for us,’ O’Regan says, ‘our efficiency in front of goal was good and that was the difference.

‘For us, the gap between the semi-final and final is all about freshness, the work is done, but it’s about getting the lads mentally prepared for the final. A few lads came off in the semi-final, but hopefully everyone will be available on the day.’

Another big day for Cill na Martra, with one certainty guaranteed: the community will get behind their footballers again, like they always have.