PIHC: Liam O'Shea and Lisgoold ready as they enter new territory 

When Lisgoold won the Co-Op SuperStores IAHC last year, it shouldn’t have come as a huge surprise.

They were seen as one of the contenders for the prize, but just needed that extra push. Having won county titles as a coach with Bandon (2016 PIHC), Éire Óg (2020 IAHC) and Fr O’Neill’s (2022 SAHC), Niall O’Halloran was a coup for Lisgoold when he came on board last season.

They make their step up to the higher grade this weekend when they take on Valley Rovers in the PIHC on Saturday in Carrigaline at 7.30pm. Battles with Mallow and Dungourney will follow in the group phase for Lisgoold as they enter the grade for the first time.

Lisgoold forward Liam O’Shea paid tribute to one man especially for the club's success in the last campaign.

“Last year couldn't have gone any better, we won the league, went from Division 4 up to Division 3 and obviously won the Intermediate A championship,” he says.

“It was a great year. I suppose just different things kind of clicked. We have Diarmuid Healy playing with us. We had a few new fellas on the panel as well. Just had that bit of a stronger panel than the previous years. We also got Niall O’Halloran in as coach. He was a big boost to us. Just the way we set up and everything. He knows his stuff so that was a huge advantage for us as well.

His track record speaks for itself. Every one of his sessions are different. 

"We get on brilliantly with him. We love his sessions and he's a great guy. He was one of the reasons why we did achieve what we achieved last year.” 

Fine margins is a word thrown around far too loosely these days, but it’s a word that perfectly sums up the PIHC in recent years and this latest championship season should be no different. O’Shea knows the importance that Cork senior hurler Diarmuid Healy will have on Lisgoold.

“All of the teams at this grade are very evenly matched,” he said.

“There's not much between any of the teams. We're just looking to stamp down our mark now against Valley Rovers, just to see where we're at.

“We're just hoping to give it our best shot and we'll see where it takes us then. There’s great excitement. We have Diarmuid Healy back now and he'll bring his experience from the Cork seniors this year after their success winning the league and the Munster. He's going to be a big player for us now this year.

“You see all the kids around the school, they look up to him. They all see him on television and any night we're down the pitch having a puck, he'll be there. He always has time for people. 

He's a big leader, in the dressing room and on the pitch. 

"If there's anything we ever need off him, he'll obviously sit us down and tell us what to do.” 

PHYSICAL

Valley Rovers are a seasoned outfit at this level and they will be looking to improve on last year, when they didn’t get out of their group.

“We know what to expect from Valley Rovers. They are a big physical side. They have been hanging around this grade for a good few years.

“We're just going to do what we always do, hard work rate and hopefully we can turn them over and if not then we're on to Mallow and Dungourney.

“But, Valley Rovers is the first game. That's what we've been looking forward to all year. It's a big boost for us to be up in the Premier Intermediate grade.”