Managerial football updates: Bishopstown and Kilshannig under new management
Killian O'Hanlon in action for Kilshannig against Aghada in the PIFC this year. Picture: Jim Coughlan
AS usual around this time of the year, it has been busy on the managerial front with the majority of clubs ready to go with white smoke still to come from a few.
Starting with the senior A football grade, Carrigaline, recently demoted from the top flight of Cork football, are sticking with manager Michael Meaney for the 2024 season with Cill na Martra native Kevin O’Sullivan remaining as coach.
The Carrigdhoun outfit are hoping to replicate Newcestown by bouncing straight back up to the top tier at the first time of asking. In both clubs' cases, they could have panicked but stuck with the respective management teams despite demotion. It worked out for Newcestown, but can Carrigaline do the same?
They will be one of the contenders in what is a very competitive grade. One of Carrigaline’s championship opponents next year will be Cill na Martra, a team the Carrigaline coach O’Sullivan managed to county glory in 2018 when the Muskerry club won the IFC. That should be a fascinating one. Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and Kiskeam make up the group.
Bishopstown have a new manager as they look to improve on this year with the city club failing to qualify from their group despite having the destiny in their own hands heading into the final group game against eventual winners Newcestown, but lost by six points in what was a must-win for Newcestown. A draw would have been sufficient for Bishopstown.
Former Cork footballer and Cork minor football selector when the Rebels won the All-Ireland title back in 2019 Mick Hannon has left his role, which was a surprise to a few people, with Mark Driscoll his successor. Despite being relatively young, Driscoll has built up experience with his beloved club. Driscoll was manager of the junior A footballers this year and was a selector with the senior and minor footballers in the past. Former Town player Noel O’Donovan is the lead coach with Ian Jones and Justin Honohan the new selectors.
They have been drawn with Newmarket, Knocknagree and Clyda Rovers for the 2024 championship group stage.
The final one from senior A level, Donie Dorgan is remaining on as Clyda Rovers coach. The Grenagh native returned to the Mourneabbey club this year for his second stint with the Avondhu outfit. Clyda Rovers finished third in their championship group this year with their nine-point defeat to Newmarket in the last group match a difficult one to take for many reasons. A win that day would have sent Clyda Rovers through to the knockout stages. The team in black and amber have a challenging group stage to navigate next year with Newmarket, Knocknagree and Bishopstown in the group.
Moving down to the premier intermediate football grade, Kilshannig have a new management team in place for the new season after the departure of manager Ger Creedon and his backroom team. The 2022 IAFC winners lost to Bantry Blues by a point in the semi-final this year. The Avondhu team will be one of the contenders next year.
The incoming management will consist of Denis Reen, Colm O’Dea and Patrick O’Connell, with Reen being the coach of the team. The Kerry man guided Kiskeam to the PIFC crown in 2016 and was most recently coach of Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.
David O’Donovan is remaining on as Bantry Blues manager as they aim to make it third time lucky in 2024. The West Cork side have been beaten in the last two PIFC finals to Kanturk and Cill na Martra respectively. O’Donovan came in as boss when morale was low on the back of relegation from the senior A grade in 2021 and has done a fantastic job so far and there is no doubt the Bandon native will be determined as ever to help Bantry rejoin the senior ranks of Cork football next year.
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