Late Courcey Rovers comeback relegates Bishopstown to Premier Intermediate grade

Bishopstown's David Quaid is tackled by Courcey Rovers Richard Sweetnam. Picture: Denis Boyle

Cork SAHC relegation play-off: Courcey Rovers 0-16 Bishopstown 0-14  

Gone but not forgotten. A text message arrived during the week from Jerry O’Neill in Australia to Courcey Rovers manager Michael O’Sullivan wishing them luck in the Cork Senior AHC relegation play-off.

Jerry is just one of a number of key players they were minus in Bandon on Sunday.

An emotional O’Sullivan said they trained so hard all year but just couldn’t get over the line.

“It is such a relief for us to stay up, you don’t believe it.

“This club is all heart. We have 32 fellas down training every night trying to stay up.

“Jerry is gone two years. A great player, a big time player. But he’s coming back at the end of the year.

“Short Seán Twomey, Stephen Nyhan (goalkeeper), Brendan Ryan. There is another, I can’t think of him now. And John McCarthy, who got the last point, is out all year with an achilles tendon problem.” 

His passion was understandable, fresh from watching the 2021 PIHC winners preserve their status, having left it late shooting the last four points.

A sixth free from Richard Sweetnam following a foul on DJ Twomey levelled the game in the 62nd minute, Tadhg O’Sullivan pushed them in front for only the second time and then sub John McCarthy’s point was the cherry on top in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

For Bishopstown, who had led 0-14 to 0-12 and had only fallen behind once (to Sweetnam’s opening point), they’ll wonder how they let it slip. Unfortunately, it means a second consecutive drop that will see them play in the Premier intermediate grade in 2026, having stepped up to the top tier 19 years ago.

This was a game littered with errors and wides - not unusual when you factor in the high stakes and a tricky cross wind. That it wasn’t a five-star performance won’t bother the victors in the slightest. Had they lost, they would have been kicking themselves as they shot more wides than scores.

Both teams, who ended up with a sweeper, were without a number of regulars, but those that took to the field were found not wanting.

Bishopstown set the pace to lead 0-5 to 0-2 as Darragh O’Donovan pointed twice, there was a pair from free-taker James Scally and a Cillian Murray point.

DJ Twomey recorded Courcey Rovers second point in the 13th minute and their first from play.

Bishopstown, however, came back to extend their advantage through three Scally frees, 0-8 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.

Courceys upped the tempo through a number of different players.

They hit five-in-a-row, some big scores from Olan Crowley (2), Sweetnam (2 frees) and wing-back Rory O’Callaghan to leave them one in arrears.

There was a good goal chance as well only for an intervention from Bishopstown’s Gearóid Murphy.

The Town went to the dressing-room 0-10 to 0-8 in front.

Unbelievably, there was only a point each registered in the third quarter, from Sweetnam and sub Kieran McFadden.

Instead, we had five wides for Bishopstown and six for Courcey Rovers - the nerves being tested to the full.

Courcey’s eventually drew level when captain Colin Roche set up sub Conor Crowley, 0-12 apiece in the 54th minute.

O’Donovan drew a save from Gary Moore before Bishopstown pushed for home through skipper Brian Murray and Cillian Murphy.

In pursuit of victory, Courcey Rovers had to show serious heart.

O’Sullivan started an incredible comeback as the clock showed 60.

Sweetnam, O’Sullivan and McCarthy (picked out by O’Sullivan) did the rest.

They’ll celebrate this one.

Scorers for Courcey Rovers: R Sweetnam (0-6 frees), T O’Sullivan (0-3), O Crowley (0-2), R O’Callaghan, D J Twomey, D O’Donovan, J McCarthy and C Crowley (0-1 each).

Scorers for Bishopstown: J Scally (0-5 frees), C Murray (0-3), D O’Donovan (0-2), D Quaid, C Hegarty, K McFadden and B Murray (0-1 each).

COURCEY ROVERS: G Moore; D Collins, F Lordan, C Daly; R O’Callaghan, C Roche (Capt), L Collins; D J Twomey, M Collins; O Crowley, T O’Sullivan, M O’Donovan; B Collins, R Sweetnam, D O’Donovan.

Subs: C Crowley for B Collins (45), J McCarthy for O Crowley (54), N Moloney for M O’Donovan (60).

BISHOPSTOWN: C O’Donoghue; D Lester, D Quaid, G Murphy; D Daly, D Murray, L O’Driscoll; B Murray (Capt), D O’Donovan; C Dunne, C O’Driscoll, T Murray; C Murray, C Hegarty, J Scally.

Subs: K McFadden for T Murray (38), M Scally for D Murray (59).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).