Granard Gaels minors denied Bishopstown
Bishopstown 2-13 Granard Gaels 1-7
BISHOPSTOWN are Rebel Og County Minor Premier 2A football championship and league winners following their win over Granard Gaels in the county league final at Mourneabbey on Wednesday night.
The winners did well early on. They used the shorty passing at speed to very good effect. Jamie O’Sullivan opened with a pointed free for the City side. Aidan Murphy replied for the Gaels in the fourth minute. Colin O’Brien cut through the centre and kicked a great point as the Avondhu side edged in front. Jamie O’Sullivan levelled and followed with his third point as Bishopstown moved ahead. Simon Collins added a point for the winners after good play by Jamie O’Sullivan and Jack O’Driscoll.
Further pressure saw Jamie O’Sullivan kick a fine point after 21 minutes 0-6 to 0-2. Both sides missed a few chances with Granard Gaels having a goal by Aidan Murphy after good play by Jimmy Duggan and Dan Kelleher. In the closing moments good play by Jack Scally, Jamie O’Sullivan and Liam O’Driscoll led to Joe Harrington kicking a very good point as the winners led 0-7 to 1-2 at the break.
Pouring rain during the second half made for very trying conditions. Aidan Murphy pointed an early free with Paraic O’Shea with a free levelling in the 36th minute. Gaels took the lead with a pointed free by Aidan Murphy. There was no score for a long while with both sides being off target.
In the 52nd minute Jamie O’Sullivan levelled at 1-5 to 0-8. Colin O’Brien soloed through and kicked a very good point that edged the Liscarroll/Churchtown side ahead after 57 minutes. There were 9 minutes of injury time played with Bishopstown forcing level when Joe Harrington pointed a free. The sides finished level 1-6 to 0-9 with extra-time being played.
Bishopstown did well in the extra time. Their overall balance and quality of their passing was very good in the conditions. Joe Harrington had an early point with Liam O’Driscoll cutting in from the corner and placing Cian Spicer for a goal 1-10 to 1-6. Michael Noonan followed with a point. Granard Gaels only score in extra time came from Aidan Murphy (free). By half time the City side were 1-12 to 1-7 ahead.
On the changeover the momentum was with the winners. They used the short passing over and back. Michael Noonan had a point after three minutes. They had their goal in the closing moments when Liam O’Driscoll put Joe Harrington in for a goal as the emerged winners by 2-13 to 1-7.
After the game Michael O’Mahony Chairman Rebel Og Central presented the cup to the winning captain Liam O’Driscoll.
BISHOPSTOWN: C Lyons, C O’Rourke, S Minihane, I Barrett, J Scally, N Gough, S Murphy, J Dunne, M Noonan 0-2, J O’Driscoll, L O’Driscoll, J Harrington 1-4 (0-1f), O O’Callaghan J O’Sullivan 0-5 (3f), S Collins 0-2 (1f). Subs: B Aherne for I Barrett, C Spicer 1-0 for E O’Callaghan, L Hayes for L O’Driscoll, L O’Driscoll (extra man in extra time), E O’Callaghan for J Dunne (black card) L Hogan for S Minihane, I O’Keeffe for J O’Driscoll,
GRANARD GAELS: S Tierney, E Knipe, L Barrett, B Fitzpatrick, C Knipe, C O’Brien 0-2, V Daly, P O’Shea 0-1f, D Kelleher, S O’Callaghan, J Duggan, S Kelly, L Campbell, A Murphy 1-4 (0-4f), C Healy. Subs: J Oronsaye for L Campbell, D Woolam for C Healy (black card) R Morrisson for V Daly, G Healy for J Oronsaye, D Jones for C Knipe.
REFEREE: Colm Maher (Buttevant)