Rangers wary of wounded Bishopstown
The city club have been in action five of the last six weekends in either hurling or football, while Carbery haven’t played championship in over two months.
But Cuthbert was slow to suggest which approach was better.
“We won’t know that until after the game, but we’re at a stage now where we’ve fellas who’ve been playing for five of the last six weekends,” he said.
“Carbery Rangers have been waiting nearly 10 weeks, so they’ll obviously be fresh, but we’re on the other side of it; hoping we’ll be championship ready.
“We’ll know after the game which approach is best.”
Bishopstown signalled their intentions in round one with a thrilling one point win over Nemo Rangers, and that was something Carbery Rangers player/manager Michael O’Sullivan believes made many sit up and take note.
“Yeah, of course, they beat Nemo Rangers after a replay in the first round which is something very few teams can say they’ve done over the years. So, obviously, they’re making a huge effort. They’ve a very good manager in Brian Cuthbert too. He’s a very astute operator on the line and has them in great shape.
“They’ll be looking to atone for the hurling loss to Sarsfields as well so they certainly won’t be lacking motivation.”
Indeed, the West Cork men have an incentive themselves in that the winner face Castlehaven in the last four – the team who beat them at that stage last year. But it’s not a factor this week, stressed the former Cork senior.
“Absolutely not. We’re not looking beyond Bishopstown, so Castlehaven hasn’t been mentioned. We’ll take what comes our way, but we’d be very foolish to look beyond today.”
It’s been another staggered year for Carbery with two championship games since May and O’Sullivan admitted the fragmented season is just something they’ve had to adapt to.
“It’s been hard enough alright. We played Clonakilty at the start of May, then Ballincollig on August 10 and now we’re playing again on October 13, so you’ve got a three month gap, a two month gap and now, if things go well for us, three games in less than a month but we just have to put up with it.
“We’re not the only ones in this situation though. We’ve tried to manage the time off between games as best we can, giving fellas a week off here and there to try and keep guys fresh. Obviously it’s not ideal from a preparation point of view, but you want your guys for this time of the year.”
Their league form suggests they’re better prepared than any other of the seven years they’ve been senior for a cut off the county, but write off the city side at your peril is the message.
“They beat us in the league back in February and one thing that struck us was how fit they were. So I’m not at all surprised by them being still there. League has generally been a very good indicator of how teams have ended up in the championship as well so it’s nicely set up.”
Bishopstown have injury worries over key players James O’Shea, Paul O’Connor and Dan O’Donovan and Cuthbert rates their chances at no more that 50/50.
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