Relief for Lisgoold hurlers: This championship is the hardest you'll find anywhere, there are no easy games
Lisgoold’s Mark Hegarty under pressure against Bishopstown. Picture: Chani Anderson
The relief for Lisgoold manager Mossie O’Connell was evident after watching his team secure their Premier Intermediate hurling status following a 3-19 to 1-17 win over Bishopstown on Saturday.
Bishopstown, with the aid of a strong wind, commanded a six-point interval lead but a storming second half from Lisgoold paved the way for this impressive win.
“We knew when we had the wind in the second half and although we couldn’t start Diarmuid Healy, his presence made a huge difference when we introduced him at half-time.
After a first half where Bishopstown played some solid hurling, what changed for Lisgoold for the second half?
“I think bringing back James O’Leary to centre-field helped us big time and we never looked back once we regained control in that department."
Relegation final games can be pressure in every sense of the word but the Lisgoold chief believes his team didn’t overthink it.
“Look the bottom line is that we were poor against Castlemartyr and Dungourney but in fairness in our do-or-die game against Cloyne we were back playing the hurling we are capable of.
"The way we looked at it was that it was just another game in the Premier Intermediate grade as we have only had two seasons in this championship so it was case of getting the job done.”
Lisgoold are no different to the small community clubs that work their socks off to keep the operation going but O’Connell believes they have some decent players coming through.
“I suppose Colm Garde would be the obvious one and Dean Murphy is another talented prospect. With decent minor and U16 teams I don’t think we are badly off going forward.”
Although delighted his team kept their Premier Intermediate status, the Lisgoold manager had sympathy for Bishopstown.
“In fairness, Bishopstown put it up to us for long periods and I genuinely feel sorry for them or indeed any club that suffers relegation as the work that goes on behind the scenes at clubs in every corner of Cork is incredible.
“I do know Bishopstown are working hard at juvenile level and with the dedicated volunteers they have I am sure they will bounce back.”
O’Connell feels the Premier Intermediate grade is as tough as you will get in any county.
“I think this championship is the hardest you will find anywhere and of course you have the Senior A, another grade that is incredibly intense but for us, it’s all about enjoying this day without getting carried away.”
Cork hurler Diarmuid Healy praised his teammates for their second-half display.
“I am carrying an injury, but I really wanted to help the lads and I was delighted to play in the second half."
Healy believes not panicking at half-time helped his team eventually see off the stern Bishopstown challenge.
“We knew what we had to do, and cool heads were needed but with a number of quality players coming through the club I think we will hopefully be more competitive next season."
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