No Darragh Fitzgibbon, but Charleville will 'bring the fight' to Glen Rovers

Charleville manager Dominic Foley says this group of players has earned the club respect.

Charleville manager Dominic Foley. Pic: David Keane.

"Starting last year, we set out as a club and a team to earn a new reputation. I think our reputation for the previous five years had been in relegation finals. So, it was important to gain a new reputation and a new respect."

That was the goal for Charleville manager Dominic Foley when he took the reins ahead of the 2025 Cork PSHC campaign. 

Having survived multiple relegation play-offs in previous years, the North Cork outfit reached the quarter-final in impressive fashion last year, only to be beaten by eventual county champions Sarsfields.

They've matched that feat again this year thanks to victories over the aforementioned Sars and Douglas. Progression secured at the earliest opportunity for the second year running. 

Has that garnered a new reputation and a new respect for Charleville ahead of their quarter-final with Cork hurling royalty Glen Rovers? 

"I think the boys have done that (earned respect)," said former Irish international footballer Foley. "In fairness, I don't think any team are looking forward to playing Charleville at the moment. That's credit to the boys."

They'll head for Mallow on Sunday full of confidence and eager to turn the Glen over and secure a semi-final spot, but will do so without the services of Cork captain and three-time All-Star Darragh Fitzgibbon. 

The 29-year-old missed out on the final-round loss to Newtownshandrum with a quad injury and will not be fit enough to lead the Charleville charge this weekend.  

There are doubts over the involvement of Gareth Gleeson, Tim Hawe and Jake Madigan too, but the outlook is positive on the trio.

Nonetheless, the loss of Fitzgibbon is a monumental one.

Charleville’s Zack Biggane stretches to gather possession. Pic: Chani Anderson

For Foley, however, it's about the others in red giving that extra bit on the field, not any singular player picking up the burden of replacing a player of Fitzgibbon's ilk. 

"It's important that none of us tries to replace him, because Darragh is one of the best in the country."

"If we can all just up our own game by maybe that one or two percent and be the best version of ourselves, that's what we're aiming for. 

"Bring the fight to the Glen with the same intensity as we did in the first game against Sars; that's going to give us our best chance. So we're looking forward to it.

"It's what they've been training for all year, to be in these positions."

Loftier heights have now been reached on a consistent basis over the last two years. That brings with it the question of how. So what changed? 

Foley and coach James Kennedy's fingerprints are all over it, but the former puts it all down to the players in his camp.

"The commitment, the discipline, the accountability, all these things that you're looking for in every team, we've got it from them," Foley continued. "They've put in a massive effort on the fitness side of things, where we won't be found wanting now, which maybe we were a little bit before.

"Massive credit to the players, the condition they've got themselves in, the attitude they've shown. There's no rocket science; if you get that from a group of players, then the results will follow. 

"There was never any doubt; we have hurlers. It was the other side of things that maybe we had to push up on, and the boys have done that."

On to the Glen and the challenge that awaits from the likes of Rob and Eoin Downey, Patrick Horgan, Micheál Mullins and the rest. 

"The Glen have a massive history, so we obviously will respect that, but we won't respect it too much, because if you do, you'll get wiped off the field," added Foley. "We'll have to get close to them; we'll have to get stuck into the game.

"They have massive talent. Look at every line they have. Obviously, they have Rob and Eoin (Downey) and they have Hoggy (Patrick Horgan).

"Eoin O'Leary and Simon Kennefick... talent all over the field, where you can be punished.

"They have talent everywhere, and we know that. We'll have to try and come up with our match-ups for that. 

"Every player on that team can play, but only if they're allowed to play; we'll have to try and nullify that."