Premier 1 MFC: Ethan Hyde drives Éire Óg past Bishopstown to set up Ballincollig clash

Éire Óg: 1-13 (1-2-9) 

Bishopstown: 1-8 (1-0-8) 

A slicker Éire Óg team proved too strong for Bishopstown in the Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC quarter-final at MTU Cork on Thursday night.

The Muskerry side will now meet neighbours and the holders Ballincollig in the last four following this five-point success while Douglas take on Glanmire.

Timmy O'Sullivan's charges were deserving victors over the course of the hour. They didn’t trail at any stage as they enjoyed a three-point advantage at half-time.

They kept their opposition at arms-length for the vast majority led on by Cork minor footballer Ethan Hyde.

There were also big performances from the likes of Jack O’Connell and Micheál Sheehan in defence. Kevin Beechinor used his size to gain an upper hand in midfield with Seán Murphy’s crafty runs causing problems for the Bishopstown defence. 

There were many more excellent performers wearing a red and yellow jersey. The win and display made more noteworthy considering Éire Óg were without sharpshooter Seán Hurley due to injury. 

The teams traded early points before Seán Murphy pointed and Hyde converted a two-point free to give Éire Óg a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after five minutes.

Hyde was having a big impact on the match, not just with his scoring but his overall play too. He kicked over a sweet 45 in what was a low scoring half where both defences were on top.

Cullan McBride, Bishopstown’s only scorer so far, pointed. It was their first score in 19 minutes, 0-5 to 0-2 after 22 minutes.

It was quickly followed by a Neil Crowley free to leave them two points adrift.

The Town were enjoying a sustained period of dominance. Callum Caplice’s rasper hit the crossbar before Andy Cuthbert bisected the posts.

Éire Óg finished the half stronger though, another Hyde two-point placed ball was timely as his team led 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time.

A Daniel Murphy point a minute into the new half was the perfect start for Bishopstown. It was followed by a Crowley effort to leave the bare minimum in it.

Bishopstown couldn’t draw level with their opposition always having the ability to push on again.

Cian O’Flynn kicked over a great point for Éire Óg, 0-8 to 0-6 after 35 minutes.

The Ovens outfit tacked on two successive points before Bishopstown roared into the game for a brief moment with a smashing goal through Jack Tompkins, son of the coach Larry Tompkins, 0-10 to 1-6 after 41 minutes.

Both sides were reduced to 14 players a minute later following an off the ball incident, two straight red cards, Sé Clarke for Bishopstown and Adam Hayfield for Éire Óg.

The Muskerry club got a goal of their own when Colm Sheehan finished to the net from close range with a quarter of the game remaining.

The teams then traded points as Éire Óg led 1-11 to 1-7.

The team in red and yellow saw out the final 10 minutes very impressively. They landed two of the last three points to set up a meeting with their rivals Ballincollig.

Scorers for Éire Óg: E Hyde 0-7 (2 2pt f, 0-1 f, 0-1 45), C Sheehan 1-0, S Murphy (0-1 f), C O’Flynn, C Murphy 0-2 each.

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

ÉIRE ÓG: C O'Leary; M O'Riordan, E Hogan, J O'Connell; C O'Flynn, M Sheehan, A Hayfield; K Beechinor, C Sheehan; D Strand, S Murphy, E Hyde; D Sheehan, R Coakley, C Murphy.

Subs: J O’Sullivan for C Sheehan (56), L McLaughlin for C O’Flynn (61).

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

Subs: R Clinton for S Young (10, inj), M O’Mahony for C Bowen (44).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers).