Bishopstown ready for SAFC test against Éire Óg

Bishopstown open their McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC campaign on Friday in Ballincollig. 

Éire Óg, Kilshannig and Clyda Rovers make up a tight Group 3, with Éire Óg first up at 7.15pm – the same Éire Óg who ended Bishopstown’s run at the quarter-final stage last season.

Key Bishopstown player Odhran Foley says the youthful look of the panel isn’t a drawback – if anything, it has given the club a lift.

“Last year was my first year, and for a lot of us it was our first knockout senior championship game against Éire Óg,” the Cork U20 footballer says.

“Having watched the team over the last few years, you always felt there was more in us. There were still young players there, and now with the 2006 crop firmly part of the panel, it’s given a real boost to the whole group.”

The quarter-final defeat to Éire Óg still lingers, not in a negative way, but as a marker of where the city side want to go.

“We felt we didn’t play the way we could have,” Foley said.

“We didn’t stick to the game plan. Not capitulated, but we drifted away from what we were meant to do. But we didn’t panic. We dusted ourselves down and said we’d be ready for next year.

“The focus at the start of the year was to get out of Division 3 and we did that. We want to be playing the best teams all year round. 

"We’ve had a couple of disappointing results, but overall it’s been very positive. The team is coming together now as we get closer to championship.” 

A big part of that has been the management team. Brian Cuthbert is in his second season back in charge, with Cork football legend Larry Tompkins working closely with the players. Foley has known Tompkins since minor and says his influence is enormous.

“Larry is absolutely class,” he states.

“He’s the most down-to-earth, humble fella ever. He doesn’t miss a session – in four years working with him, he hasn’t missed one. He talks to players one-on-one about small things they can tweak. Whatever Larry tells you, you listen.

“Then for Brian, he has given absolutely everything to the club. At the start of the year we weren’t sure who’d take the seniors, but a few of us sat down with him and said we wanted him again. 

"He was only meant to step in last year because one of the coaches went to Australia, but he enjoyed it and we were so happy with him. His commitment is unreal.” 

Attention now turns to Friday. Éire Óg beat Bishopstown in last year’s knockout game, adding a bit of edge to the opener, but Foley is wary of overhyping the first round.

“If you put too much emphasis on the first game and lose it, panic can set in. It’s three group games. 

"If you lose the first, we know we’re good enough to win the last two. Four points gives you a good chance to get out of the group.

“Of course you want a good start, especially after last year. But it isn’t the end of the world if Éire Óg get one over on us. We’ll take it game by game.” 

Getting out of the group is the minimum target, but Foley doesn’t shy away from ambition.

“Any good side wants to aim high. Getting out of the group is the main thing, but if we can get further in the knockout stages, that’s massive progress. 

"If you’re improving year on year and there are results to show it, then you know something is coming down the line.”