FROM the depths of despair to the brink of glory – Ilen Rovers have earned their shot at redemption.

A year on from relegation to the fourth tier of Cork football, the West Cork club is now preparing for a McCarthy Insurance Group Intermediate A Football Championship county final after a pulsating extra-time win over Adrigole in Bantry.

Ilen’s two-point victory came at the end of a remarkable contest that swung one way and then the other, with Flor O’Driscoll’s side dragging themselves back from the edge before finishing strongest in extra-time.

‘The first thing I have to say is that Adrigole were just brilliant,’ O’Driscoll said afterwards.

‘They were amazing today and played some absolutely brilliant stuff. We caught them with two two-pointers in injury-time to level it. Adrigole were very unfortunate today.

‘There were times we played well and spells when we didn’t, but even during those difficult spells, we kept ourselves in it somehow. We got ourselves to extra-time, where it was just to and fro – it could have been either team that won it.

‘I’m just delighted for our lads. They’ve dealt with a lot of adversity over the years. To bounce back the way they did is just top class. I’m really, really delighted for them.’

Dan MacEoin was among the Ilen heroes, finishing with 12 points, including two late frees that forced extra-time. The veteran forward has waited nearly two decades for a county final appearance.

‘In fairness, the young lads coming up the last few years have kept their shoulder to the wheel,’ MacEoin said.

‘Even in the tough years, when a lot of lads went to Australia and the work wasn’t being rewarded, we kept going.

‘It’s great for it to turn around now and for the boys to get what they deserve. Hopefully we’ll close the deal in two weeks. I’d say I’ve been playing for around 17 years, so it’s about time I got to a county final!’

For all the joy, O’Driscoll knows the job isn’t done yet. Ballinora await in the final.

‘We had a really tough group and had to improve a lot as a team to compete. The lads stuck at it and worked hard. Now we’ve another huge two weeks ahead. We’ll be ready for it – and give it our best shot.’