Bishopstown are Seandun U21 football champions after beating St Finbarr's in the final

Sun, 26 Nov, 2023 - 17:15

Leonard Allen

Bishopstown 1-14

St Finbarr’s 0-11

BISHOPSTOWN were crowned AOS Security Management Solutions Senadún U21 A Football champions, as they defeated Southside neighbours St Finbarr’s, before a sizeable attendance at Ballinlough on Sunday afternoon.

Bishopstown made the most of the advantage of a slight breeze as they held the Togher side scoreless for the opening ten minutes.

The second half was more evenly contested, until Bishopstown’s late goal put the game beyond St Finbarr’s reach.

The St Finbarr's sqaud who faced Bishopstown in the AOS Security Under 21A Football Championship final At Ballinlough on Sunday . Pic Larry Cummins

Conor Dunne converted a mark and a free for Bishopstown. Simon Collins added two points from play to give their side a four-point lead.

William Buckley opened the Togher side’s account with a point from play in the 12th minute, before Brian McCarthy restored Bishopstown’s four-point advantage midway through the opening half.

St Finbarr’s began to turn the screw entering the second quarter as Shay Fenton slotted over a point from play but Dunne replied with his second free for Bishopstown.

Fenton pointed a free for St Finbarr’s and this was followed by a point from play by John Wigginton Barrett, before Liam Hogan responded with a point from play for Bishopstown.

William Buckley converted a 13-metre free for the Togher side from a difficult angle, three minutes into stoppage time. This left Bishopstown with a lead of 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.

With the elements in their favour for the second half, the Togher side raised their game as Wigginton Barrett, William Buckley and Ciaran Doolin each tagged on unanswered points from play.

This gave St Finbarr’s the lead for the first time in the contest. This single-point lead did not last as Bishopstown replied with six unanswered points from play.

Ricky Barrett, St Finbarr's tries to get a shot on goal under pressure from the Bishopstown defense. Bishopstown vs St Finbarr's in the AOS Security Under 21A Football Championship final At Ballinlough on Sunday . Pic Larry Cummins

Wigginton Barrett converted a free for the Togher side with six minutes remaining and Collins responded with a point from play for Bishopstown.

Wayward kick-outs were also to prove costly for St Finbarr’s and Kieran McFadden drilled home the game’s only goal for Bishopstown from the edge of the square, with two minutes remaining.

William Buckley converted his second free for the Togher side in stoppage time, before the final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes from the Bishopstown supporters.

Seandún Chairman Michael Higgins presents the Seandún U21A Football Championship trophy to Bishopstown winning captain Simon Collins

Scorers for Bishopstown: C Dunne 0-4 (0-2f, 0-1 mark); S Collins 0-4; K McFadden 1-0; L Hogan 0-2; B McCarthy, K Murphy , D O’Donovan, M Sheridan 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: W Buckley 0-5 (0-3f); S Fenton 0-2 (0-1f); J Wigginton-Barrett 0-2; C Doolin, R Barrett 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: S Cronin; F Stephens, M Sheridan, D Murray; K Murphy, D Cuthbert, D O’Donovan; B McCarthy, N Gough; S Sheridan, C Dunne, S Collins; K McFadden, L Hogan, P Casey.

Sub: C Connolly for Murray (h/t).

St Finbarr’s: C Collins; R O’Sullivan, JJ O’Connor, J Kennefick; J Murphy, M Nason, J Fitzsimons; F Crowley, T O’Keeffe; M Ahern, W Buckley, C Doolin; A Buckley, R Barrett, J Wigginton-Barrett.

Subs: S Fenton for O’Connor (15), S Kennedy for O’Sullivan (26), C Buckley for Nason, T Egan for Fitzsimons (both 45), E Hallahan for A Buckley (52).

Referee: Brian Coniry (Crosshaven).