O’Neill: Patience key for ‘Town

In one way, Bishopstown’s appearance in the Cork County SHC semi-final can be viewed as a surprise, but in another, it was inevitable that they would rise to this level.

Last year, the city club only retained senior status after beating Ballinhassig after a replay in a relegation semi-final. The members of the county U21-winning sides of 2006 and 2007 have now matured, however and they are the backbone of the current team.

Shane O’Neill was one of the marquee players on those U21 outfits and he makes the valid point that success does not translate automatically.