Sweet revenge for O’Donovan Rossa as Rob Long books semi spot

O’Donovan Rossa 2-15 Bishopstown 1-10 (Cork SFC quarter-final): O’Donovan Rossa’s opening round defeat to Bishopstown was “a blessing in disguise”, reflected manager Shane Crowley in the aftermath of Saturday’s successful revenge mission in Dunmanway.

A 110-day lay-off greeted Bishopstown’s opening day win over the Skibbereen outfit in early May; O’Donovan Rossa, meanwhile, returning inside the whitewash three-weeks later for their second round fixture.

Even their round 4 clash against Beara on the second weekend of August arrived a fortnight earlier than Bishopstown’s second outing of the summer. And aside from the obvious momentum garnered by travelling successfully through the backroads, Crowley was afforded the opportunity to test the corrective surgery embarked on in the wake of that 2-14 to 2-11 first round loss to the city club.