Mike Power and Billy McCarthy fire Bishopstown to victory over St Michael's at Ballinlough

Bishopstown 3-11 (3-1-9) St Michael’s 1-6 (1-0-6)

Bishopstown have completed their group programme of the AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football Championship unbeaten, as they defeated St Michael’s in their one-sided encounter, before a good-sized attendance at Ballinlough.

Michael’s have a game in hand against defending champions Nemo Rangers.

Scoring opportunities were at a premium in the early stages as Michael’s had the game’s first shot at goal, before Bishopstown raced into a two-goal lead. This game produced a more open second half, as Bishopstown got the game’s only two-pointer and their third goal deep in stoppage time.

Bishopstown had St Michael’s pinned back and they opened the scoring in the seventh minute, when Ruairí Lynch set up Bill McCarthy for their first goal. This was followed by a pointed free by Rob Clinton.

Clinton set up Mike Power for Bishopstown’s second goal which left them leading by 2-1 to 0-0.

St Michael’s opened their account in the 12th minute, when Liam O’Sullivan slotted over a free.

Bishopstown responded with a point from play by Mike Power and a pointed free by Darragh Costelloe.

In the 23rd minute, David Hogan set up Brian Holland for a goal for Michael’s, but McCarthy responded with a pointed free for Bishopstown.

This left the half-time scoreline reading 2-4 to 1-1 in Bishopstown’s favour.

Michael’s raised their game for the second half, as Mark Drummond had a point on the board within two minutes of the resumption. Bishopstown responded as Mike Power and McCarthy exchanged points with Keith Hegarty and Drummond.

Cian McGrath tagged on two points from play for Bishopstown, before Hegarty replied with a pointed free.

Deep into stoppage time, Liam O’Driscoll landed the game’s only score from outside the 40-metre arc. Holland replied with a point from play before Mike Power set up Lynch for Bishopstown’s third goal at the death.

Scorers for: Bishopstown: M Power 1-3; B McCarthy 1-2; R Lynch 1-0; L O’Driscoll 0-2 (1 2pt); C McGrath 0-2; R Clinton, D Costelloe 0-1f each.

St Michael’s: B Holland 1-1; K Hegarty 0-2 (0-1f); M Drummond 0-2; L O’Sullivan 0-1f.

Bishopstown: S Cronin; C Vaughan, C Philpott, D Quaid; R Lynch, E Byrne, G O’Mahony; S Ó Deasúnaigh, S Foley; A Power, M Power, D Costelloe; R Clinton, L O’Driscoll, B McCarthy.

Subs: C McGrath for Costelloe (23), B Daly for McCarthy (52, inj), C Bohan for Ó Deasúnaigh, I Barrett for O’Mahony (both 53), D O’Rorke for A Power (60+).

ST MICHAEL’S: M Burke; M Murre, A Ó Drisceoil, A O’Brien; B Holand, A Nolan, J Dineen; P Doyle, D Corkery; M Drummond, D Hogan, D McClafferty; L O’Sullivan, K Hegarty, D O’Sullivan.

Subs: R O’Neill for McClafferty (h/t), J O’Sullivan for Doyle (38), L Murphy for Murre (46, inj), L Fogarty for L O’Sullivan (56).

Referee: Peter Finnegan (Douglas).