Brian Cuthbert salutes young Bishopstown after 12-man survival win

Bishopstown manager Brian Cuthbert admitted the overriding emotion was relief after his side secured their Senior A football status with a gritty 2-14 to 0-13 victory over Clyda Rovers at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.

It was a contest that carried all the tension and jeopardy of a relegation semi-final.

Clyda will now face O’Donovan Rossa in a decider nobody wants to be in.

Coming into the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC Group 3 Round 3 clash with no points on the board, Bishopstown were staring down the barrel. 

Lose, and they were heading for a relegation play-off with a young group. Win, and they were safe. Cuthbert didn’t dress it up.

“Absolute relief,” he said.

“Like any club, when you don’t win your first two matches and you’re facing into the last game with no points, you just want to get off the line. Win the game and move on.” 

For long spells, Bishopstown looked the better side. They built a cushion, moved the ball with pace — Gary Holland prominent — and repeatedly punched holes in Clyda’s defence.

But the two-point rule, which has shaped so many games, dragged Clyda right back into it. Two in quick succession flipped momentum entirely.

“Momentum is massive in the new game,” Cuthbert says.

“Once they got two two-pointers in a few minutes, you could see they had full momentum. All they needed was a lucky break to get another one or two points and it was game on. It came down to one point at one stage.

“Our fellas are young; they’re learning, but they’re very game. A couple of turnovers we created ourselves, moving the ball forward, extra bodies running — we looked athletic.

“To win that game, considering we had an eight-point lead and it went back to one, I think we did very, very well.” 

The closing stages were chaotic — cards everywhere. Bishopstown finished with 12 men after a red and two late black cards. Clyda also had a man sent off.

For several minutes, Bishopstown were defending with eight outfield players while still trying to keep three up top.

“Once they got the red, we got a red within a couple of minutes,” Cuthbert said.

“Again, it’s learning. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen. Then two black cards. You’re playing with 12 men, keeping three up, defending with eight — it’s not easy.

“For all the talk about two-pointers, goals are still so important. The first goal was brilliant. The second was an overrun — more bodies forward than they had back. Once we got the goals, it was game over really. Without them, it would have been a big struggle.” 

Cuthbert also credited Clyda’s fight, particularly given the tough times they’ve endured off the pitch in recent weeks.

“They’re very proud people, very proud club. They had a lot to play for and we knew they wouldn’t give up. The fact they pulled it back to a point is testament to them.” 

For Bishopstown, avoiding a relegation play-off was vital — not least because the club faces a hurling relegation match next weekend against Lisgoold in the Co-Op SuperStores PIHC. 

With a young panel, another do-or-die football fixture would have been a damaging addition.

“It would have been a disaster to go into a relegation play-off,” Cuthbert states.

“Every club goes through the doldrums at times. You have to dig yourself out of it. Pressure is a privilege — you’re with young men giving their all for their club. You could ask nothing more from them.” 

He pointed to the broader picture: promotion from Division 3, now competing in Division 2, and Senior A status secured for 2027.

“We look back positively on the season. We’re still Senior A next year. We have a very young side. You’re entitled to nothing — nobody gives you championships. You have to dig them out. Let’s see what next year brings. For now, we’re very happy.”