Bishopstown best Ballinora in U21 Football semi-final after six-goal showdown

Bishopstown 4-7 

Ballinora 2-6 

Despite Bishopstown’s comfortable victory in the end, there was no shortage of entertainment in their semi-final contest with Ballinora in the U21 A Football Championship.

A black card, six shots off the woodwork – with one of those finding a way into the net – and of course, six goals in Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s 4G on Sunday.

Two second half goals from Bishopstown decided the game. Two very different goals – both within 40 seconds of one another.

In the 43rd minute, with the score 2-5 to 1-6 in the Town’s favour, it was still all to play for.

Aiming for a point, Brian McCarthy kicked the ball so high in the air that it landed vertically for Ballinora goalkeeper Alex McAllen, and the bounce was a cruel one. It slipped through his hands and deflected in.

From the very next kickout, Bishopstown stole possession over with Odhran Foley getting the ball to Kieran McFadden, and he buried it from close in to make it 4-5 to 1-6.

Ballinora looked for an immediate response – with less than 60 seconds elapsed between McFadden’s goal for the Town and Michael Quirke’s effort that rattled the crossbar.

Two and a half minutes later Ballinora were temporarily reduced to 14 as Liam Lyons was dealt a black card. It was a significant blow – given he had been their biggest threat going forward.

Without him though, they didn’t waver.

As Sam Sheridan pointed to move Bishopstown nine in front with 10 minutes to go, Ballinora’s response was to add the second goal that had eluded them for some time.

A swift counter-attacking move from Andrew O'Sullivan set up Robert Quirke – and he provided a breathtaking finish across goal. Power and precision – a rocket into the top corner.

Though Ballinora had nine minutes to make up a six point deficit, they couldn’t break through. Conceding 21 frees didn’t help matters either, as the Muskerry side let too many of their own kickouts go to waste.

Ballinora weren’t bad by any means and their first half performance showed that – but the 43rd minute cost them six points, and ultimately a place in the final with Beara.

Bishopstown were excellent.

They pressed high, and forced turnovers. The work they’ve put in as a group was clear for everyone to see.

Foley and McCarthy were phenomenal, both in transition and around the final third. Cork U20 Darragh O’Donovan also put in a stellar shift, finishing with two from play.

Gary Holland starred too, even providing the first of two goals in the 14th minute, assisted by Conor Dunne as he placed it low beyond McAllen.

That moved Bishopstown four in front, 1-2 to 0-1, but Ballinora didn’t let the gap grow any bigger during the half.

They had reduced it enough to draw level when they raised a green flag of their own – direct result of a brilliant counter attack.

The move began with corner-back Colin O’Flynn, before possessions from Michael Quirke, Robert Quirke and Lyons saw the latter convert.

That left it 1-4 each with 29 minutes gone, but 60 seconds later it would be chalked off.

From their next attack, Bishopstown surged forward as Harry Wixted and Sheridan combined to set up minor star Holland for a second goal. Lyons replied for Ballinora with a point, 2-4 to 1-5 at the interval.

The third quarter was more or less the same – with the sides adding a point each before the Town eventually put the game to bed with two goals in rapid succession.

Scorers for Bishopstown: G Holland 2-1, K McFadden 1-1, B McCarthy 1-0, D O’Donovan 0-2, S Sheridan, C Dunne (f), R Foley 0-1 each.

Ballinora: R Quirke 1-2 (0-1 f), L Lyons 1-1, M Quirke 0-2, K Werner 0-1.

BISHOPSTOWN: S Cronin; D O’Donovan, F Stevens (c), M Sheridan; O Foley, D Cuthbert, H Wixted; K Murphy, B McCarthy; S Sheridan, P Casey, R Foley; G Holland, C Dunne, K McFadden.

Subs: C McGrath for Sheridan, M Scally for Foley (both 57).

BALLINORA: A McAllen (c); D Byrne, A Laverty, C O’Flynn; S Lyons, M O’Brien, J Byrne; C O’Donoghue, N Davis; L Lyons, M Quirke, K Werner; A O’Sullivan, R Quirke, B Mayer.

Subs: J Trench for O’Donoghue (HT), B Carbery for Mayer (47), P Mayer for Davis (51).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers)