Clyda Rovers are on the up as they look to build on positive league campaign

Clyda Rovers have been one of the stories in the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League this season.

The North Cork side finished top of Division 3 as they chase silverware when they meet Iveleary in the league final tomorrow week (18th) in Donoughmore with throw-in at 7.30pm.

It has been well documented the struggles the team has gone through in recent years with Clyda Rovers only avoiding relegation from the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC last season after victory over Kiskeam in the relegation play-off.

They have turned a corner so far this year. The black and amber are guided once again by Karyn Graham with Shane Ronayne the coach this season.

“We met as a group last November and getting out of Division 3 was probably our main objective in the first part of the year,” she says.

“From a developmental point of view, we have played some excellent football at times this year. We have dug deep to eke out results, so as any manager or coach would tell you, that’s a hallmark of a team that’s coming. It takes maturity to dig deep and get results. We are very proud of the players.

“We are happy with the season so far, step one is achieved, but we aren’t where we want to be in some situations, but we are getting there. It’s a process, everyone is enjoying it most importantly the players.

“I couldn’t emphasise enough how important it was for Clyda Rovers to remain a Senior A club last year. I knew there was a fantastic crop coming. It was challenging last year with injuries and so on. I have been lucky to have been involved at underage level, so I know what these young players can do. They want to put our club back to where we feel we should be.” 

Clyda Rovers’ regular league season saw them pick up an impressive tally of 15 points from nine games, seven wins, one draw and one loss. Their only blip was the second outing for them away to tomorrow week's opposition when Iveleary scored more goals than points in a 5-4 to 0-10 win.

“You try and play down the significance of a final, but at the end of the day, you won’t get a more competitive game than this one,” Graham said.

“We are delighted to be in it. We are trying to get right for the championship in a few weeks’ time, but we will embrace the challenge and try our best to get the win. Of course, it would be nice to lift silverware, but if we don’t, our objective has been achieved in terms of promotion, but when you are in a final, you want to win it.

“Iveleary will be thinking the same, I am sure. They are an excellent side and have a serious goal threat as we saw in March. We learnt so much from the defeat that day, conceding five goals was a worry. We changed a few things and have improved. We had a few hard conversations with the players the following week.” 

Cork senior footballer Conor Corbett missed Clyda Rovers’ championship campaign last year due to an ACL injury. He returned to training in April and played for his club in the game that sealed promotion in the five-point victory over Aghada just over a month ago.

“Conor is in great form. He has trained hard since returning from injury. He has ticked every box to get back on the playing field, so we are so happy that he's back and he’s looking forward to this league final.

“He has given all of us a boost. He’s delighted to be back wearing the black and amber jersey.” the Clyda Rovers manager concluded.