Bishopstown edge battling Dohenys in extra-time thriller
For their refusal to give up the chase when all seemed lost, the Town deserved their passage two round four, and have a number of players to thank for their two point victory.
Down by two goals at half time in normal time, their mentors rung the changes, bringing on Diarmuid Lester and Sam Oakes and both played significant roles.
Oakes grabbed a goal which turn the game in his side’s favour but it was Lester who made the biggest impression.
He revelled in the space afforded him after Dohenys had Patrick McCarthy sent off for a second yellow card offence with 20 minutes to go, and had a hand in most of their scores from there to the finish.
With so much at stake there was a great edge to the game. The exchanges were extremely keen all through and while the late flare up was regrettable, it was nothing serious.
Dohenys took control from the throw in and were a goal to the good after five minutes when Stephen Collins showed marvellous skill in rounding the Town ‘keeper before scoring.
The city side struggled in most sectors of the field and it took them 19 minutes to open their account with a Brian O’Callaghan point, but it was only a token score as a finely tuned Dohenys side continued to dictate matters and only the butt of the upright denied them a second major from Mark Quinn’s shot but they were full value for their 1-5 to 0-2 half time lead.
Bishopstown resumed the second half with two changes and they worked a treat for them. Denis Crowley blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy but he redeemed himself a couple of minutes later when he set Sam Oakes up for a goal which threw the issue wide open.
With Diarmuid Lester playing the proverbial blinder and Dohenys down to 14 players, the Town worn down their opponents and Mark Power levelled the game for the first time with a point to force extra time.
Back to full strength and in the fading light, the Dunmanway side scorched into a two-point lead in the first period of extra time but ‘Town pegged them back to equality by half time and it was anyone’s game.
Tempers began to fray as the sides remained deadlocked with seven minutes to go before Brian O’Callaghan fisted home a goal to give his side the for the first time.
Dohenys weren’t quite ready to give up the chase however and a blistering goal by Pat Collins set up a grandstand finish, but a resolute Bishopstown defence held firm for a victory they just about deserved.
The losers now join St. Nicholas, St. Vincents and Newmarket in Round Three.
Scorers — Bishopstown: D. O’Donovan (0-5 frees); B. O’Callaghan 1-1; S.Oakes (1-0); C. Dormer, F. Ó Deasúnaigh (0-2 each); D. Crowley, P. Honohan, D. Lester, M. Power (0-1 each).
Dohenys: S. Collins, P. Collins (1-1 each); J. McCarthy (0-3); M. Quinn (0-2 frees); A. Sheehan (0-2, 0-1 free); D. O’Donovan, D. Rice (0-1 each).
BISHOPSTOWN: K. O’Halloran; J. McLoughlin, R. Byrne, N. O’Donovan; C. Dorman, M. Power, J. McSweeney; A. O’Connor, E. Costelloe; D. O’Donovan C. O’Neill. D. Crowley; B. O’Callaghan, P. Honohan, D. /Hickey.
Subs: D. Lester for J. Sweeney (20); D. O’Connor for B., O’Callaghan (half time); S. Oakes for C. O’Neill (half time); F., Ó Deasúnaigh for Costelloe (50); B. O’Callaghan for Oakes (70).
DOHENYS: D. Kelly; T. Collins, T. O’Donovan, B. O’Donovan; M., Murphy, A. Sheehan, D. Collins; M. Milner, P. Collins; D. O’Dwyer, J. McCarthy, P., McCarthy; M. Quinn, D. O’Donovan, S. Collins.
Subs: D. Rice for D. O’Dwyer (45); M. Farr for M. Milner (55); B. McCarthy for D. O’Donovan (60).
Referee: N. Wall (Carrigaline).
