The Barrs edge out Bishopstown to return to top four in Cork hurling

St Finbarrs 0-15 Bishopstown 0-14

ST Finbarrs bridged a 10-year gap when they reached the semi-final of the SHC after the narrowest of wins over neighbours Bishopstown at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon.

This game was a poor contest but the closeness of the scores had the crowd on the edge of their seats and had Bishopstown’s goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran been successful with a long-range free in the last puck of the game, the sides would have had to meet again; but instead the ball came back off the upright and the final whistle sounded.

St. Finbarr’s know that they will have to show a big improvement in the semi-final against either Sarsfields or Imokilly if they are to reach the final.

Of a more worrying note to the Togher side is the number of dual players they have and they hope they will get a two-week break following their footballers’ game with Nemo on September 28 before their semi-final tie.

On three occasions the Barrs opened up a four or a three-point gap but back came Bishopstown each time.

Neither goalkeeper was called into action as both defences were on top.

Damien Cahalane opened the scoring after four minutes for the Barrs and while Bishopstown did level on three occasions, they never took the lead.

Twice in the opening 20 minutes, the sides were level with Eoghan Finn converting three frees for the Togher side while Pa Cronin replied with two frees for Bishopstown and Shane Lordan and Thomas Murray pointed from play.

Then the Barrs moved up a gear with points from Damien Cahalane, Cian Walsh and two from Colm Keane but a late surge from Bishopstown with points from Cronin, Thomas Murray and Michael Power left the Barrs leading 0-8 to 0-7 at half time.

By the end of the third quarter, the sides were level for a third time 0-11 each, Finn scoring two for the Barrs and Philip Kelleher one; while Bishopstown replied with three frees from Cronin and one by Conor Hegarty.

With 10 minutes remaining the Togher side were three ahead with Finn getting two and Conor Cahalane one.

Two long-range points from O’Halloran kept Bishopstown in touch but they were unable to reach parity.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: E Finn 0-7 (0-5 f), D Cahalane, C Keane, C Cahalane 0-2 each, C Walsh, P Kelleher 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: P Cronin 0-6 f, T Murray, C Hegarty 0-2 each, K O’Halloran 0-2 (0-1 f), S Lordan, M Power 0-1 each.

St FINBARR’S: S Hurley, J Neville, J Burns, O Murphy; G O’Connor, E Keane, C Walsh, B Hennessy; D Cahalane, C Walsh (c); C Cahalane, C Keane, E Finn; R O’Mahony, P Kelleher, C Barrett.

Subs: J Goggin for O’Connor (32 inj), C Buckley for Barrett (50), B O’Connell for Kelleher (54).

BISHOPSTOWN: K O’Halloran; D Lester, B Murphy, C O’Driscoll; B Murray (c), S O’Neill, J O’Sullivan; B O’Driscoll, C Hegarty; E Byrne, P Cronin, M Power; J Scally, S Lordan, T Murray.

Subs: C Walsh for Scally (h-t), C O’Hora for Byrne (44), C O’Driscoll for Cronin (53-60 temp), K Driscoll for Murray (54), C O’Driscoll for Lordan (61).

Referee: D Copps for (Ballyhea).