Third time lucky for Douglas as they defeat Bishopstown to claim the Eilís McCurtain Cup

Douglas 2-13 Bishopstown 3-9

It was to be third time lucky for Douglas as they defeated Bishopstown to claim the Eilís McCurtain Cup in a dramatic decider at Ballinlough on Wednesday night. 

Douglas lost the previous two finals of this competition to near neighbours Nemo Rangers.

The scoreline was reading 3-9 to 1-13 in favour of Bishopstown, when Sally Murray set up Katrina Mackey for the decisive score with the final piece of action, deep into stoppage time.

This game was dictated by a slight breeze as wayward shooting was proving to be costly for Bishopstown in the opening half. The tide turned in Bishopstown’s favour for the second half as they led for most of the final quarter.

Doulgas had Bishopstown pinned back from the start. 

They raced into a three-point lead, courtesy of two points from Hannah Landers and one from Sophie O’Shea.

Bishopstown began to turn the screw and Shannon Stephenson opened their account with a point from play. 

This was followed by a pointed free by Eimear Healy, which left the minimum between the sides.

Doulgas began to seize the initiative as Stephanie Dwyer, Katrina Mackey and Cathy Harrison each scored points without reply. Landers also converted a free. Amy Gilsenan and Stevenson replied with points for Bishopstown.

Harrison tagged on two points for Douglas, and Anna Murphy also got a point, while Healy replied for Bishopstown. 

This was followed by Landers’ second pointed free for Douglas.

Bishopstown were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute, from which Stevenson drilled home the game’s opening goal.

Sophie O’Shea responded with a point for Doulgas, who held a half-time lead of 0-11 to 1-5.

Julie O’Reilly got a point for Doulgas in the first minute after the resumption before Bishopstown upped the ante. 

Healy, Gilsenan and Kate Somers each got unanswered points. This left the scoreline reading 0-12 to 1-8 in Douglas’ favour.

Midway through the second half, Bishopstown took the lead for the first time in the contest when Ger Rea set up Somers for Bishopstown’s second goal. This gave Bishopstown a lead of 2-8 to 0-12.

Landers and Healy traded pointed frees in the final quarter.

Scores were at a premium for most of this period as both net-minders pulled off spectacular saves.

With three minutes remaining, Bishopstown opened up a five-point gap as Fiona Kinsella set up Stevenson for Bishopstown’s third goal.

Douglas replied a minute into stoppage time as Lucy O’Brien set up Murray for Doulgas’ first goal, which reduced the margin to 3-9 to 1-13, before the scene was set for a dramatic goal.

Scorers for Douglas: H Landers 0-5 (0-3f); K Mackey 1-1; S Murray 1-0; S O’Shea, C Harrison 0-2 each; S Dwyer, A Murphy, J O’Reilly 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: S Stevenson 2-2 (1-0 pen); E Healy 0-4 (0-2f); K Somers 1-1; A Gilsenan 0-2.

Douglas: M Smith; E Fitzgerald, S Murray, A Kelleher; S Dwyer, L Hourihan, L O’Brien; K Mackey, M O’Shea; K McCarthy, S O’Shea, A Murphy; J O’Reilly, H Landers, C Harrison.

Subs: A Russell for Harrison (41), A O’Sullivan for O’Reilly, S Quirke for Murphy (both 50) E Grace for K McCarthy (54), C McGrath for O’Shea (59).

Bishopstown: A Bohan; A O’Donovan, F Bohan, K Kearney; M McCarthy, K Quilter, S Colins; E McKeever, A Ní Dheasmhunaigh; K Somers, S Stevenson, C O’Mahony; F Kinsella, A Gilsenan, E Healy.

Subs: G Rea for McKeever (h/t); J Cronin for Collins (41), A Noone for Quilter (57).

Referee: AJ Cronin (Mayfield).