Aghabullogue outgun Bishopstown to secure PIHC qualification

Aghabullogue 0-29 Bishopstown 0-20 

Aghabullogue eventually showed their class to secure a second big win in the Co Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Championship at Cloughduv on Sunday.

Having been relegated two years ago, the Muskerry side bounced back last season and showed their here to make a mark despite missing talisman Matthew Bradley. They now top their group on scoring difference and will must likely secure an automatic semi-final berth if they beat Ballincollig in two weeks.

Despite a sluggish opening quarter, once Aghabullogue found their rhythm they sealed the deal long before the final whistle, though the Town put in a solid display. Man of the Match Shane Tarrant finished with an impressive 12 points with James Lane chipping in with 0-6, all from play. 

Bishopstown were quickest from the blocks and David Quaid only took 40 seconds to split the posts with a sublime strike. And when Brian Murray added a second white flag in the fourth minute, they looked a side on a mission.

After responding to the wake-up call, a Cian Furey point a minute later settled the favourites into their stride. Both sides traded some impressive points but three frees from the stick of Cian Scally gave Bishopstown a three-point lead midway through the half.

Bishopstown full-forward Brian Murray was causing issues with his movement and passing but picked up an ankle injury in the 17th minute and had to be replaced and his experience was keenly missed.

Credit to Aghabullogue they played some wonderful hurling in the closing 12 minutes before the break with Tarrant finding his range as they restored a three-point lead. Daniel Dineen got through on goal but just as he was about to pull the trigger, he was hooked by the Bishopstown full-back Barry Murphy.

Aghabullogue got the closing score of the half when Sean Furey struck over a monstrous point that helped his team go in commanding a 0-16 to 0-12 lead after a gripping 30 minutes of top-class hurling.

A Cillian Murray point gave Bishopstown the perfect start to the second half but Tarrant was quick to respond with a fabulous point from an acute angle. In fairness, Bishopstown never stopped battling but without Murray they lost shape in their full-forward line.

It was great to see former Cork stars Shane O’Neill and Pa Cronin among the Bishopstown coaching staff as they strive to keep hurling going in their club after recent relegations.

When James Scally split the posts in the 38th minute, the lead was reduced to four points but an eight-minute drought without a score certainly hurt them. In that period, Aghabullogue took control and increased their lead to seven points midway through the half.

The last quarter of the game was a tame affair with both sides trading points but this Aghabullogue side, look a decent outfit and when you have scoring machines like Tarrant and Lane with Bradley to return, they're a formidable unit.

Bishopstown now face Éire Óg in a bid to stave off relegation worries with Aghabullogue facing the other unbeaten side Ballincollig, in a game that will decide who tops the group.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: S Tarrant 0-12 (0-6 f, 0-1 65), J Lane 0-6, O O’Connell, P O’Sullivan, D Dineen, J Corkery 0-2 each, C Gillespie, C Furey, S Furey 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: C Murray 0-8 (0-7 f), J Scally 0-5 f, C Hegarty, D Quaid, B Murray 0-2 each, C Dunne 0-1.

AGHABULLOGUE: I Barry-Murphy; T Long, C Timmons, TJ Buckley; C Gillespie, P Ring, P O’Sullivan; C Furey, S Furey; S Tarrant, J Foley, D Dineen; J Lane, J Corkery, O O’Connell.

Sub: O O’Connell for J Foley (49).

BISHOPSTOWN: D O’Brien; M Murphy, B Murphy, G Murphy; S Foley, C Dunne, N O’Shea; L O’Driscoll, C Hegarty; C Caplice, J Scally, K McFadden; C Murray, B Murray, D Quaid.

Subs: C O'Hora for B Murray (inj 17), D Murray for K McFadden (38), M Scally for G Murphy (54).

Referee: Aidan Hyland (Kilworth).