SAFC: 12‑man Bishopstown survive chaotic finish against Clyda to dodge relegation play-off

Bishopstown: 2-14 (2-1-12) 

Clyda Rovers: 0-13 (0-3-7) 

Bishopstown held their nerve to hold off Clyda Rovers to avoid another relegation play-off after a tense and fiery afternoon in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.

This final game in Group 3 was effectively a relegation play-off semi-final as the city side ensured there would be no Slán leat match, given their hurlers have one next weekend in the Co-Op SuperStores PIHC.

Brian Cuthbert’s side were more economical, with Gary Holland the main man, as they won by seven points.

The Town did lead by eight at one stage in a mad second half, only for it to be cut down to a single point.

The city side finished with 12 players — a red and two late black cards — while Clyda finished with 14 after they picked up a red.

Clyda Rovers are missing a spark without their star man Conor Corbett as they must face O’Donovan Rossa to avoid dropping down.

They lost Garry Deane to a straight red after 37 minutes when they were six points behind.

In slippery underfoot conditions, Bishopstown hit the first score through Simon Collins — a tidy point after two minutes — but it was cagey and tight early on. No surprise.

There wasn’t much to get the sparse crowd excited about in the first 10 minutes.

Harry Wixted came up from defence for the city side as he, soccer-style, kicked the ball over the bar as it bounced without catching it.

It was followed by a Dunne two-pointer as Cuthbert’s side started to show their quality, with Holland pulling the strings.

Clyda Rovers did get their first score after 16 minutes. They had to work hard for it too when Cian O’Sullivan pointed, 0-4 to 0-1.

Bishopstown landed two of the next three points, but really Clyda’s effort from Aidan Kelly should have ended up in the back of the net — he couldn’t keep his rising shot down.

The sides traded white flags before a great Kieran McFadden point following a flowing Bishopstown move pushed them 0-8 to 0-3 ahead two minutes before the break.

David Walsh did point for Clyda Rovers, but Bishopstown were comfortable, and another Collins effort gave them a 0-9 to 0-4 cushion at half-time.

Holland, McFadden and Odhran Foley efforts extended their side’s lead out to eight at the start of the second half.

A Cian Walsh two-pointer did give Clyda Rovers hope, but they were playing second fiddle at this juncture. And it got worse when Deane picked up a straight red for an off-the-ball incident after 37 minutes.

It was 14 each two minutes later when Dunne also suffered a straight red for a high challenge.

Clyda landed two of the next three scores, with one of them a David Walsh orange flag, 0-13 to 0-9 with 15 minutes to go.

A super two-point free from goalkeeper Kevin Coffey left two points in it as the momentum was now with the men from Avondhu.

Ben Nyhan cut the gap to one with six minutes to go — but a cruel blow for them after 54 minutes.

Good play from Foley set up Brian McCarthy, who lashed the ball into the net as Bishopstown led 1-13 to 0-12.

Foley then bagged a goal for himself three minutes from time when he used his pace to finish to the net following a driving run.

McFadden and Jack Murphy did receive black cards in the matter of seconds as Town were reduced to 12 for the final minutes.

The job was done for Bishopstown. For Clyda, they have one more game to save themselves.

Sub Conor Flanagan did get a point from a free for Clyda, but it was fitting that Holland had the final say as he fisted over for his side.

Scorers for Bishopstown: G Holland 0-5 (0-1 f), O Foley 1-1, B McCarthy 1-0, C Dunne (1 2pt), K McFadden, S Collins 0-2 each, H Wixted, K Murphy 0-1 each.

Clyda Rovers: K Coffey (1 2pt f, 0-1 45), D Walsh (1 2pt) 0-3 each, C Walsh (1 2pt), C O’Sullivan 0-2 each, A Kelly, C Flanagan (f), B Nyhan 0-1 each.

BISHOPSTOWN: S Cronin; M Murphy, H Wixted, C Vaughan; K Murphy, J Murphy, O Foley; B McCarthy, C O’Driscoll; C Dunne, K McFadden, S Sheridan; S Collins, G Holland, J Tompkins.

Subs: P Casey for S Sheridan (47), N Crowley for J Tompkins (49), L Hogan for C O’Driscoll (57), M Scally for K Murphy (63), B Cahill for B McCarthy (66).

CLYDA ROVERS: K Coffey; C Cooney, A Walsh, N Burke; C Kelly, G Deane, A Kelly; B Nyhan, D Walsh; K Graham, P Kissane, C Walsh; C O’Sullivan, D Cooney, Cathal Corbett.

Subs: C Kenny for C Cooney (37), P O’Grady for N Burke (40-43, temp), P Ryan for Cathal Corbett (41), P O’Grady for D Cooney (43), C O’Mullane for A Kelly (49), C Flanagan for D Walsh (60), D Cooney for P Kissane (63-FT, temp).

Referee: James Bermingham (Bride Rovers).