Courcey Rovers strike late to relegate Bishopstown from Senior A Hurling
Colm Daly burst onto the sliotar for Courcey Rovers in the Senior A relegation playoff against Bishopstown. Picture: Denis Boyle
They left it late but Courcey Rovers claimed victory in the Co-Op Superstores Cork senior AHC relegation play-off in Bandon on Sunday.
The outcome did not look good for the Premier IHC winners of 2021 with three minutes of regulation remaining but they dug real deep to strike the last four points.
A sixth free from Richard Sweetnam following a foul on DJ Twomey levelled the game in the 62nd minute, Tadhg O’Sullivan pushed them in front for only the second time and then sub John McCarthy’s point in the fourth minute of stoppage was the cherry on top.
For Bishopstown, who led 0-14 to 0-12 and only had fallen behind once (to Sweetnam’s opening point), they’ll wonder how they let it slip. Unfortunately, it means a second consecutive drop that will see them play in the Premier intermediate grade in 2026, having stepped up to the top tier 19 years ago.
This was a game littered with errors and wides - not unusual when you factor in the high stakes and a tricky cross-wind. That it wasn’t a five-star performance won’t bother the victors in the slightest. Had they lost, they would have been kicking themselves as they shot more wides than scores.
Both teams, who ended up with a sweeper, were without a number of regulars, but those that took to the field were found not wanting.
Bishopstown set the pace to lead 0-5 to 0-2 as Courceys struggled to get going.
Darragh O’Donovan pointed twice, there was a pair from free-taker James Scally and a Cillian Murray point.
Twice Mark Scally was called in as a blood sub but it didn’t upset their rhythm.
D J Twomey recorded Courcey Rovers' second point in the 13th minute and their first from play.
Bishopstown, however, came back to extend their advantage through three Scally frees, 0-8 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.
Courceys upped the tempo through a number of different players.
They hit five in a row, some big scores from Olan Crowley (2), Sweetnam (2 frees) and wing-back Rory O’Callaghan to leave them one in arrears.
There was a good goal chance as well only for an intervention from Bishopstown’s Gearóid Murphy.
The ‘Town went to the dressing-room 0-10 to 0-8 in front.
Unbelievably, there was only a point each registered in the third quarter, from Sweetnam and sub Kieran McFadden (McFadden’s could have been a goal but skimmed over the bar.) Instead, we had five wides for Bishopstown and six for Courcey Rovers - the nerves being tested to the full.
Courcey’s eventually drew level when captain Colin Roche set up sub Conor Crowley, 0-12 apiece in the 54th minute.
O’Donovan drew a save from Gary Moore before Bishopstown pushed for home through skipper Brian Murray and Cillian Murphy.
In pursuit of victory, Courcey Rovers had to show serious heart.
O’Sullivan started their incredible comeback as the clock showed 60.
Sweetnam, O’Sullivan and McCarthy (picked out by O’Sullivan) did the rest.
They’ll celebrate this one.
R Sweetnam 0-6 f, T O’Sullivan 0-3, O Crowley 0-2, R O’Callaghan, DJ Twomey, D O’Donovan, J McCarthy, C Crowley 0-1 each.
J Scally 0-5 f, C Murray 0-3, D O’Donovan 0-2, D Quaid, C Hegarty, K McFadden, B Murray 0-1 each.
G Moore; D Collins, F Lordan, C Daly; R O’Callaghan, C Roche (c), L Collins; D J Twomey, M Collins; O Crowley, T O’Sullivan, M O’Donovan; B Collins, R Sweetnam, D O’Donovan.
C Crowley for B Collins (45), J McCarthy for O Crowley (54), N Moloney for M O’Donovan (60).
C O’Donoghue; D Lester, D Quaid, G Murphy; D Daly, D Murray, L O’Driscoll; B Murray (c), D O’Donovan; C Dunne, C O’Driscoll, T Murray; C Murray, C Hegarty, J Scally.
K McFadden for T Murray (38), M Scally for D Murray (59).
Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).
App?
