Bishopstown into minor football semis after brilliant win against Douglas

Bishopstown 2-12 Douglas 0-10 

A magnificent win for Bishopstown as a late goal from Bill Cahill helped them defeat the champions Douglas in a highly charged Premier 1 Minor FC at Bishopstown.

Cahill finished with a 1-5 tally but this win was down to sheer hard work and graft from a well-organised side. It means they top their group and move into the semi-finals, while Douglas and Ballincollig will meet in a playoff to decide second spot.

Bishopstown went into the game on the back of a seven-point defeat to Ballincollig with Douglas easily overcoming Éire Óg at Ovens.

It was evident both teams were intent on playing quick open football with Douglas wasting two good opportunities in front of goal in the opening three minutes. A minute later a coast-to-coast solo run by Odhran Foley ended in a perfect assist to Jack Tompkins whose shot was cleared off the line by Joe Mouret.

After an interesting six-minute period the Town got up and running courtesy of a superb Sean McBride point. The home side were now in ascendancy and a second point a minute later from Callum Caplice settled them into the action. To be fair the Douglas heads didn’t drop and they responded with consecutive points to tie the game midway through the half.

Bishopstown were dealt a blow in the 13th minute when corner-back Jerry O’Mahony received a black card but they were still two points up, before Douglas responded to level proceedings following a stunning Olly Barry point in the 25th minute.

Credit to the Town they responded in style and a sweeping move in the final minute was finished in style by Sean McBride. The visitors had the final say with a stunning point from Paddy McGrath as the Town went in at the break leading 1-5 to 0-6.

The restart saw the Town playing against the stiff breeze open the scoring in the 33rd minute with a point from captain Gary Holland. Despite having the wind advantage Douglas struggled to break down the disciplined defence and 10 minutes into the half they still trailed by the 1-7 to 0-8.

Entering the last quarter Douglas continued to struggle and when corner-back Mouret picked up a second yellow card it reduced his team to 14 men for the closing 10 minutes. They never managed to overcome the deficit and must refocus for the playoff.

Scorers for Bishopstown: B Cahill 1-5 (0-3 f), S McBride 1-1, G Holland, C Caplice 0-2 each, C Murray, O Foley 0-1 each.

Douglas: P McGrath 0-4, J Harte 0-3, J O’Brien 0-2 (0-1 f), O Barry 0-1.

BISHOPSTOWN: S Murray; J O’Mahony, C Vaughan, H Grant; O Foley, S Wiseman, H Wixted; S McBride, G Holland; C Caplice, J Tompkins, SR Clarke; B Cahill, C Murray, N Crowley.

Sub: C Bohan for Clarke (44).

DOUGLAS: J O’Flaherty; L Kelleher, B O’Hehir, J Mouret; E O’Kelly, D Reddington, O Barry; J O’Brien, C Hallahan; R Dooley, J Harte, C Kilbride; J O’Brien, M O’Brien, P McGrath.

Subs: S Sheedy for D MacPhaidin (45), C O’Donoghue for J O’Brien (56).

Referee: James O’Regan (Lough Rovers)