Liam O'Shea and Lisgoold keen to take learnings from league

In many ways, Lisgoold could be said to be poster-boys for the new formats in the Cork county championships and leagues.

When the championships were reformatted at the beginning of 2020, the East Cork club were operating at junior A level, winning the county title for that year, played in August 2021. From there, they went straight through what was then called the lower intermediate grade, winning the 2021 edition in November of that year.

That put them in Division 3 of the RedFM Hurling League in 2022 – but it was a year of three expanded divisions as the placings for the following year’s streamlined competitions were sorted.

They made it to the final of that, unlucky to lose to Aghabullogue, and it left them in Division 4 in the new seven-level model.

Having finished in third place in 2023, they followed that up by earning promotion and beating Russell Rovers in the final last year. That proved to be a springboard for more championship success, beating Erin’s Own in the final of the Co-op SuperStores IAHC.

It means jumping up in both league and championship this year and captain Liam O’Shea feels that one helps the other.

“We value the league every year,” he says, “because we've brought new players in and stuff and just get them used to the games.

“We're up another division now this year, Division 3, so it's going to be a big step up from Division 4, but, you know, we'll give it a good shot anyway.”

The third tier holds quite the mix – Blackrock’s second team, who are intermediate A, are there, and so are premier senior outfit Newcestown, along with a host of senior A and premier intermediate clubs.

Having picked up a win away to Courcey Rovers in their opener, Lisgoold found themselves facing a near-full-strength Newcestown last weekend. A 3-19 to 1-9 loss was a tough experience but, equally, something that can be put to educational use.

“In our first game, we played Courceys down there and won by two points, that was a great game for us,” O’Shea says.

“Newcestown then at home in the second match was another tough one. The attitude that we’re taking is that it’s all about taking the learnings from each game.

“It was like that last year, too. We had a tough game against Bandon down below there, we had a tough game against Russell Rovers at home – they should beaten us that day and we beat them in the final then in the return game.

“Having tough games in the league, it definitely helps for the championship because it prepares you right and stuff. This year now, we're hoping to do the same.”

In terms of personnel, Lisgoold are without O’Shea’s brother Caomhán this year and Bill Whelan, but those losses are offset by new blood.

“We have everyone, bar two fellas who went travelling,” he says.

“My own brother is gone to Australia, Bill Whelan is gone too, but they’re the only two.

“We have James O'Leary now this year, he was a Cork minor and he’s eligible to play now this year, he couldn't play last year because of the rule, he actually ended up playing junior B. “He's going to be a big addition this year, we've brought in Rory McSweeney too, another miner. They’ll be good additions.”
Down the line, Lisgoold have neighbours Dungourney, Mallow and Valley Rovers as company for the championship and the hope is that they will go in buttressed by a beneficial league campaign.

“We're gone up as well in championship, after winning the intermediate A last year,” O’Shea says.

“There are so many senior teams in the league now, blooding the young fellas gives them good experience.

“They're going to get exposed to it, it's going to be a massive thing for them and that’s going to be an advantage for us for the championship.”