Kiskeam relegated as Clyda save SAFC status

Cian O’Sullivan bagged a crucial goal for Clyda after a sweeping move that also involved Kevin Graham and Eoin Walsh.

RELEGATION RELIEF: Conor Flanagan, Clyda Rovers, gets the ball away watched by Eoghan Daly, Kiskeam during their Cork SAFC relegation play-off match at Kanturk. Picture:Dan Linehan

Cork SAFC relegation play-off: Clyda Rovers 1-9 Kiskeam 0-7 

Clyda Rovers saved their Cork senior A football status in Kanturk on Saturday with Cian O’Sullivan scoring the all-important only goal five minutes after half-time. It extended their lead to six points, 1-6 to 0-3 after they turned two points up having never been led against the wind.

And they superbly managed their superiority all the way to the finish line, this despite losing captain David Walsh to a black card in the 43rd minute.

A victory achieved too without injured county senior Conor Corbett.

The flip side for wasteful Kiskeam (12 wides to Clyda’s 2), who are without regular goalkeeper Anthony Casey after he broke his wrist earlier in the season, is Premier IFC in 2025.

With the stakes so high for both sides, Clyda set out their stall firmly and early, as they opened the scoring when David Cooney sent over a free following a foul on captain Walsh.

Walsh then struck the crossbar before Conor Flanagan pointed after he linked with Niall Burke - Burke successfully filling the sweeper role from the off.

Seventeen minutes went before Davo Scannell started the Kiskeam scoreboard and they were on level terms when Seán O’Sullivan scored from a mark three minutes later.

Clyda Rovers manager Karyn Graham during their Cork SAFC relegation play-off match against Kiskeam. Picture: Dan Linehan

Clyda hit two on the bounce, and at this juncture 44-year-old Paudie Kissane was introduced for the injured Colin Kelly - the veteran a steadying influence for the younger players around him.

Eoin Walsh and Davo Scannell swapped white flags before the break - Walshs’ effort skimmed over the bar - to push the lead to 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

A speedy restart kept the Mourne Abbey side on the front foot. Cian O’Sullivan pointed, and then the same player bagged a crucial goal following a sweeping move that also involved Kevin Graham and Eoin Walsh.

Kiskeam brought in a few subs and duly hit back, outscoring their opponents four points to one at a time when Clyda Rovers were reduced to 14 men due to Walsh’s black card, 1-7 to 0-7.

The evergreen Kissane, who will manage Éire Óg in Premier SFC relegation battle on Sunday, eased the nerves with his 48th minute point.

Kiskeam surged forward, and twice Clyda had to survive big scares as the ball bopped around in the goalmouth, Gary Deane instrumental in clearing to safety.

Kiskeam wouldn’t score again in the final 13 minutes plus stoppage, and while Clyda only added one point from a Cian O’Sullivan free a minute from time, they had already done enough to seal their fate.

Scorers for Clyda Rovers: C O’Sullivan (1-2, 0-1 free), D Cooney (0-2 frees), D Walsh, C Flanagan, K Graham, E Walsh and P Kissane (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kiskeam: S O’Sullivan (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 mark), D Scannell (0-2), A Carroll (0-1).

CLYDA ROVERS: S Dennehy; M Forde, C Kenny, D Buckley; C Kelly, G Deane, C O’Reilly; D Walsh (Capt), C Flanagan; K Graham, D Cooney, C O’Sullivan; C Walsh, E Walsh, N Burke.

Subs: P Kissane for C Kelly (27 inj), A Kelly for D Cooney (39), S Kelly for C O’Reilly (42), C Kelly for M Forde, A Walsh for C O’Sullivan (inj) (both 60).

Black Card: David Walsh (43-53).

KISKEAM: B Daly; D Murphy, J O’Connor, J Daly; M Casey, AJ O’Connor (Capt), M Collins; T Dennehy, S Meehan; D Fitzgerald, A Carroll, E Daly; S O’Sullivan, D Scannell, M Herlihy.

Subs: K O’Connor for D Fitzgerald, C Murphy for E Daly, Maurice Casey for Mike Casey (all 37), A Dennehy for M Herlihy (42), T Casey for D Scannell (55).

Referee: David Murnane (Macroom).