Bishopstown clubman gets his reward

Brian Cuthbert was one of three new selectors – along with Ronan McCarthy and Haulie O’Neill – appointed by his predecessor Conor Counihan at the start of 2013 intercounty season.

Prior to taking on that role, the Bishopstown clubman had been involved with Cork IT football sides and had managed the Cork minors in 2010 and ’11. In his first year in charge, the side produced a series of rousing late wins, including a win against Kerry in the Munster final, before falling just short against Tyrone in the All-Ireland final.

The subsequent campaign saw a Munster final defeat to Tipperary before Dublin ended the county’s interest in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

After stepping down from the minor role, Cuthbert took charge of Bishopstown’s senior football team for 2012 and ’13. Last year, in the opening round the Town beat Nemo Rangers in the county championship for the first time but lost in the quarter-finals to Carbery Rangers a week after the club’s hurlers had been beaten in the county final.

The city side went a stage further in the campaign just ended, losing in the opening round to Ilen Rovers before defeating Dohenys, CIT and Carbery Rangers to reach the semi-finals, where Nemo gained revenge for the previous campaign.

As a player, Cuthbert captained Cork to the All-Ireland minor title in 1993, scoring a goal from corner-forward in the final defeat of Meath. He was later an U21 panellist.

He played at midfield as Bishopstown lost the 2002 county SFC final to Nemo Rangers and was at wing-forward in the decider defeat to Carbery two years later. He also won intermediate titles with the club’s hurling team in 1992 and 2006.