Premier 1 MFC: Bishopstown finish well to see off Carrigaline to force three-way tie at the top

Carrigaline: 0-14 (0-0-14) 

Bishopstown: 2-9 (2-0-9) 

Bishopstown remain alive in the Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC after securing the win they needed over home side Carrigaline on Wednesday night.

The Larry Tompkins-coached team finish their group stage on four points, but Glanmire and Éire Óg are also on four points, which means a three-way tie at the top. 

Scoring difference doesn’t come into it, so a draw had to take place with one side going to the semi-finals while the other two will play off in what will be effectively a quarter-final. Glanmire got the bye, so Bishopstown will now meet Éire Óg.

For large parts in this one, Carrigaline were in control, but wayward shooting was their downfall. Bishopstown hung in there most notably in the second half and were clinical. It was their late show that saw them over the line by a point.

A composed team display when the need was greatest.

The city team kicked the last two points to win against a gallant Carrigaline side.

The home team were eliminated from the championship after Glanmire’s win over Éire Óg, but they played their part in an enjoyable contest.

Cork minor footballer Ben Corkery-Delaney was excellent for his team with 0-7 (0-3 f).

On a perfect night for football, it was Carrigaline who got the first score when Jack Connolly pointed after two minutes following patient play.

Bishopstown played in short bursts but it was successful for them. They hit 1-3 without reply. Neil Crowley with a brilliant goal into the roof of the net after five minutes after an Alex Roche pass.

The latter and a pair of Crowley points, one which was a free, gave their team a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after 13 minutes.

Bishopstown wouldn’t score again for another 14 minutes, during that time the home side raised six unanswered white flags. Corkery-Delaney with two great points while Cillian Murphy got a neat point, the pick of them.

Carrigaline were in control and should have been further in front. Six wides in the first half was a frustration for them.

Bishopstown finished the half like they started it with a scoring burst. Andy Cuthbert with the point while Jack Tompkins, son of Larry Tompkins, with a close range goal two minutes before the break, 2-4 to 0-7 at half-time.

Carrigaline were the better team despite trailing at the short whistle. Four unanswered points nudged them ahead eight minutes into the second half, 0-11 to 2-4.

The sides traded the next four points. Conall McBride drew his team level with 10 minutes remaining, but when Corkery-Delaney restored his side’s advantage, it did look like Carrigaline would prevail, 0-14 to 2-7.

That point came after 53 minutes, but they wouldn’t score again despite a number of wides. Instead, Bishopstown raised the last two white flags from a Crowley free and McBride, with the last score after 58 minutes.

The game went into seven added minutes and Carrigaline had the chance to win it right at the end and in the process knock Bishopstown out, but Fionn Walsh’s effort for a goal went narrowly wide.

Bishopstown survive as they live to fight another day.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B Corkery-Delaney 0-7 (0-3 f), E Ahern 0-3, L Jordan, 0-2, J Connolly, C Murphy 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: N Crowley 1-3 (0-2 f), J Tompkins 1-0, A Roche, C McBride 0-2 each, A Cuthbert, A Collins 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE: D McSorley; N O'Keeffe, A Walsh, G O'Brien; S Tivy, J Shanahan, S Turner; E Ahern, D Ó Beoláin; F Walsh, J Connolly, L Jordan; J Carolan, B Corkery-Delaney, C Murphy.

Subs: S Collins for J Carolan (32), O Lynch for L Jordan (48), J Vesey for A Walsh (63, inj).

BISHOPSTOWN: D Wiseman; M Conroy, R Lynch, B Maloney; S Young, D Murphy, D Coffey; N Crowley, C Caplice; A Cuthbert, S Clarke, A Collins; J Tompkins, A Roche, C McBride.

Sub: R Clinton for A Roche (45).

Referee: Oisín Doyle (Bandon).