Bishopstown down Nemo Rangers at the death after cracker at Ballinlough

Bishopstown 2-16 (2-2-12) Nemo Rangers 2-15 (2-2-11)

Bishopstown claimed the points as they defeated last year’s beaten finalists Nemo Rangers in the opening game of the AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football Championship at Ballinlough.

This game went down to the wire, with Bishopstown’s Colm Daly scoring the match-winning point with the game’s last play, two minutes into stoppage time.

Daire Cuthbert gave Bishopstown the lead with an early two-pointer, before Nemo Rangers seized the initiative. Two unanswered points by Fiachra Twohig and one each by Jason Lyons and Aaron Browne gave Nemo Rangers a lead of 0-4 to 0-2.

In the sixth minute, a free by Lyons set up Browne for the game’s opening goal which stretched the margin by a further three points.

Bishopstown responded with a point by Mark Scally, followed by three unanswered frees by Cian McGrath.

Bill Twohig got a point for Nemo Rangers. This was followed by a two-pointer by Fiachra Twohig.

Jack O’Brien traded points with Bishopstown’s James Scally and Mark Scally. Daly converted a free.

Lyons pointed a free for Nemo Rangers, but McGrath replied with a two-pointer from a free. Bishopstown’s Rian Foley also got a point.

This tied the scores at 1-9 to 0-12 at the break.

Two minutes after the break, McGrath sent Mark Scally on a solo run for Bishopstown’s first goal.

McGrath converted a free for Bishopstown before Nemo Rangers drew level with two points from placed balls and a two-pointer from a free by Lyons.

Bishopstown were awarded a penalty, from which McGrath scored their second goal in the 42nd minute.

Padraig O’Dwyer scored a point for Nemo Rangers before Matthew Heenan set up Barry O’Driscoll for Nemo Rangers’ second goal.

Both sides continued to exchange points and the scene was set for Bishopstown’s late winner.

Scorers for Bishopstown: C McGrath 1-7 (1-0 pen, 1 2pt f, 0-4 f); M Scally 1-2; D Cuthbert 0-2 (2pt); C Daly 0-2 (0-1f); R Foley 0-2; J Scally 0-1.

Nemo Rangers: J Lyons 0-6 (1 2pt f, 0-1f); A Browne 1-1; F Twohig 0-4 (1 2pt); B O’Driscoll 1-0; D Coughlan (f), B Twohig, J O’Brien, P O’Dwyer 0-1 each.

BISHOPSTOWN: S Cronin; I Barrett, B Daly, C Philpott; D Costello, D Cuthbert, J Scally; S Sheridan, S Ó Deasmhunaigh; C Daly, M Scally, C Burke; R Foley, D Lester, C McGrath.

Subs: E Deasy for Ó Deasmhunaigh, F Stevens for Barrett (both 50), S Wiseman for Philpott (53), N O’Hora for M Scally (60+, inj).

NEMO RANGERS: J Lyon; S O’Dwyer, A O’Reilly, A McGowan; E Dilloughrey, I Nolan, J O’Brien; F Twohig, D Coughlan; M Heenan, G Barrett, P O’Dwyer; A Browne, B Twohig, J Lyons.

Subs: D Mellerick for O’Reilly (35), R O’ Connor for Browne, B O’Driscoll for B Twohig (both 48).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).