Bishopstown claim the Seandun U21B hurling title with a big win over Passage

Bishopstown 3-17

Passage 0-17

The curtain came down on Seandún GAA’s centenary year, with Bishopstown claiming the PharmaCare U21B Hurling title, as they defeated Passage before a good-sized attendance, at Ballinlough.

In an evenly contested opening half, scoring opportunities from play were at a premium for Passage, as they converted five frees in this period. The second half was more open, with Bishopstown getting the game’s three decisive goals. 

Passage were also dealt a blow as they lost their net-minder to a straight red card, ten minutes from time.

Playing with the aid of a slight breeze in the first half, Bishopstown had Passage pinned back. 

Cillian Murray slotted over two points, including a free, before Sean Coughlan replied with a pointed free for Passage.

Bishopstown’s Daniel Murray exchanged points with Callum Griffin. Cillian Murray slotted over his second pointed free, to give Bishopstown a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage, before Passage seized the initiative.

Persistent fouling was proving to be costly for Bishopstown as Coughlan pointed two frees.

Cillian Murray and Coughlan traded pointed frees before Daniel Murray exchanged points from play with Coughlan.

Coughlan put Passage in the driving seat for the first time with his fifth free in the 28th minute. 

This lead did not last long as Bishopstown tagged three unanswered points, including one free by Cillian Murray. 

Coughlan and Darragh O’Donovan swapped points from play deep into stoppage time. This left the half-time scoreline reading 0-10 to 0-8 in favour of Bishopstown.

Two minutes after the interval, Cillian Murray set up Bill McCarthy for the game’s opening goal, which stretched the margin to five points.

Passage stayed within touching distance as they scored eight points, with Coughlan converting two frees. 

Bishopstown tagged on five points, including three frees by Cillian Murray to lead by two points.

In the 48th minute, Bishopstown put the game beyond Passage’s reach as Kieran McFadden set up Cillian Murray for their side’s second goal.

Seven minutes from time, Cillian Murray set up Darragh Griffin for Bishopstown’s third goal, before the final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes by the Bishopstown supporters.

Scorers for Bishopstown: C Murray 1-9 (0-7f); D Griffin, B McCarthy 1-0 each; D Murray 0-3; D O’Donovan 0-2; C Daly, K McFadden, M Scally 0-1 each.

Passage: S Coughlan 0-13 (0-8f); C Griffin 0-2; Z Hanlon, J Barry 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: S Cronin; S Young, S Sheridan, M Scally; B McCarthy, D Daly, D O’Rourke; D Griffin, D O’Donovan; K McFadden, D Murray, G Loughheed; B McCarthy, C Murray, R Lynch.

Subs: C Caplice for Loughheed (h/t), C Daly for McFadden (41).

Passage: S Moynihan; N White, G Crowley, J Maxwell; J Desmond, D McCarthy, S Whyte; D Barrett, C Griffin; D Harrington, O O’Donovan, D Moynihan; S Coughlan, L Harrington, Z Hanlon.

Subs: J Barry for D Harrington (41), C Barry for Whyte (49).

Referee: Cathal Egan (Glen Rovers).