Relegated Na Piarsaigh pledge to 'get it right' as dual commitments take toll

For a proud club playing top tier football championship eleven years ago, they now have the unenviable prospect of fourth tier football in 2024 following Sunday's relegation from the Premier IFC

Tue, 26 Sep, 2023 - 07:45

Darragh Leen

Cork city's northside has been all too familiar with phases of financial recession over the decades, but in the sporting realm, it's another 'R' word that's depressing the area's GAA community - relegation.

Following last week's confirmation that Glen Rovers would not be playing top-tier hurling next season, it's the footballers of Na Piarsaigh now coming to terms with that sinking feeling. For a proud club playing top tier football championship eleven years ago, they now have the unenviable prospect of fourth tier football in 2024 following Sunday's relegation from the Premier IFC.

The campaign came to a bitter end with defeat to Macroom in a relegation play-off. Only last year the club's senior hurlers dropped from the top tier for the first time in 65 years.

The footballers didn't go down without a battle in Ovens, ultimately losing 1-9 to 1-6 but the losing habit they fell into in the league continued into the championship, as they failed to register a win in either competition. For manager Colin O’Sullivan, the only way is up now.

“I was still immensely proud of the performance from the lads. In this game and in all the other games for the season the effort was there but we were probably lacking that bit of quality. Macroom just had that little bit more experience in certain areas. But, in terms of our young lads these types of games will be great for them, it’ll drive them on.”

O’Sullivan continued: “Unfortunately we just ran out of steam in the second-half but I couldn’t fault the lads. Shane Forde hit the crossbar, Kevin Moynihan was unlucky with a punch pass that just went over the bar.”

O’Sullivan addressed the ever-present balancing act between hurling and football in the dual clubs - great to feed off if you're thriving, but a drain if the club is struggling, as Na Piarsaigh are.

“We have work to do in football, we need to get back up to a good level, and start building our structure under age. That process is already under way.

“We knew last year when we were relegated in the hurling that we needed to stabilise and I think we did that. We’ll come out fighting there again next year, similar to football. Of course, we have to realise where we were as well, but we’ll get things right, I’m sure of it.

"It is very hard for a dual club. I was involved with our second team in the hurling, and was involved with the senior hurlers a few years ago - the demands on a dual player are immense. You’re talking about playing 18 league matches, then going into a tough championship campaign, it’s very very hard to manage."

He added: “In my own opinion, I think we should look at the championship a bit more and extend the window in it because it gives the dual clubs a bit more of a chance. Even a two-week break in between games is ideal and it can be done if we look into it a bit more.

“From our side of things it’s very hard to compete the way things are. Especially if we want to be competitive in hurling and football, It’s a massive, massive ask. Certain clubs can do it but you have to limit your amount of dual players. I think we have 13 or 14 players dualing if not more, and anyone that’s coming through is probably a dual player too. We have to work on that and try and get that right too, but unquestionably the demands are huge on them.”