IT’S a sign of the times in Cork hurling that for the third time in five years a team not fancied at the outset is contesting the county senior final.
Bride Rovers began the trend in 2008, losing to Sarsfields in the final, Carrigtwohill went one better last season, defeating CIT in the final and now we have Bishopstown getting their chance to ascend on to the winners podium.
We are growing weary at stating that the landscape of Cork club hurling has changed considerably and that may well be how it will remain in the foreseeable future.
But that is the way it is and Bishopstown deserve immense credit for seizing the opportunity this time and, from being in a relegation decider 12 months ago, they are now an hour away from lifting the famed trophy for the first time in their history.
They are surprise finalists, nobody can deny that, it was a similar story with Bride Rovers and Carrigtwohill and the underdog tag that they will carry next Sunday brooks little argument anywhere.
There is no reason of course why they shouldn’t be back again in the future, but this one hour of hurling now represents their best ever chance of joining the elite list of Cork clubs who have collected the pot of silver.
For Sarsfields, it’s another final appearance, their fourth in five years and it’s no surprise at all that they are back again.
From the outset this season they have been undisputed favourites and nothing has happened since they defeated Cloyne in round one to change that viewpoint.
They have one of the best squads ever assembled in this competition, certainly in the modern era anyway and it’s fair to say that up to 20 players would fit in easily in the starting 15 next Sunday.
But there are no guarantees and there are definitely no certainties in the sporting arena and this Bishopstown team have grown and matured with every passing game since they unluckily lost to Midleton in their opening assignment.
In the four outings that followed that loss to the east Cork team, against the Glen, Douglas, Midleton and Ballymartle, they carried the underdog tag and each time they came up with the right answers.
The transformation from being involved in a relegation showdown with Ballinhassig (winning by a point, 0-13 to 0-12 in a replay), to being within a hour of being crowned champions has been nothing short of sensational.
Obviously, the players deserve all the credit, but the management led by Peter O’Driscoll has played a huge off the field part too and in the Town they will tell you that the influence of former Cork star Tim Crowley has been very significant.
The team is built around a very solid defensive unit that has Shane O’Neill on top of his game and Diarmuid Lester and Colm O’Neill flanking him magnificently in the corners.
Outside Ian Jones has been a tower of strength at centre-back and his tussle on Sunday with Cian McCarthy will be crucial in how the game eventually pans out.
O’Neill’s duel with Mick Cussen will be equally fascinating in watching it unfold and the prevention of the big man getting his hands on the ball will be a priority.
It goes without saying that Patrick Cronin’s form on the 40 for the city team has been outstanding and his leadership and ball winning abilities will be critical on Sunday.
Of course this time he faces one of the best club centre-backs in the business, Ray Ryan, and this is another one-on-one situation that will go a long way in deciding who takes home the trophy on Sunday night.
Free-taking where both sides are concerned will be of the utmost importance too and where Cronin and Cian Mc are concerned, there will be little or no margin for error.
Looking at both sets of forwards and the options in that department, there is no doubt that Sars carry more ammunition and in Gavin O’Loughlin they have a player who, if he strikes form, can be a matchwinner.
Fraggie Murphy too will have a major role to play on Sunday and feeding off Cussen could make a difference if the latter can gain possession.
Michael Power was excellent for Bishopstown in their win over Douglas and Ronan Conway will have a major role in trying to get control of the air in the half-forward line.
The two Wexford boys on the Sars team, Eanna Martin, outstanding against CIT, and Eoin Quigley are far more settled this year while Daniel Kearney’s energy in the middle of the field has been a major factor in their progress.
Both sides possess excellent net minders, Alan Kennedy for Sars and Ken O’Halloran for the Town and therefore it’s unlikely we’ll see a bag of goals in this game.
Both sets of backs have been taking care of their business in all the games up to now while in midfield Sars might have the edge with Quigley and Kearney.
So there is every reason to believe that it will all boil down to how both sets of forwards perform and it is here that Sars might gain the vital edge.
Eoin O’Sullivan was introduced the last day for Fraggie Murphy after 48 minutes and within minutes he had clung a great goal.
It’s that strength in depth, particularly in front of goal that could make all the difference and if Bishopstown are to win they’ll need lots and lots of support for Cronin.
By being in the final, the Town are already residing in bonus country, but such is the growing belief in the squad they will believe that their time has come.
And let’s be honest the progress has been gradual from minor and under-21 upwards. A large number of these guys have won county medals at minor, under-21 and premier intermediate and the work that was put in with those teams is now yielding a rich dividend.
It has been a natural progression really, but they are now facing a team well versed on the requirements of winning county senior titles.
And on that basis Sars have to get the verdict, but this will be their toughest test since they emerged as a force back in 2008.
It might only be a point or two when time is called.
Verdict: Sarsfields.