Bishopstown pip Nemo after extra-time to claim U21 football title

In west Cork Bantry Blues secured the Carbery U21 title with a convincing and comprehensive victory over Ibane Gaels.

RISING HIGHEST: Sam Sheridan, Bishopstown going highest to win this ball from Billy O'Neill, Nemo Rangers during the Pharmacare under-21 A football championship final at Ballinlough, Cork. Pic: Dan Linehan

City Division U21 AFC final: Bishopstown 2-9 Nemo Rangers 0-14 (AET)

Bishopstown overcame Nemo Rangers after extra time to secure back-to-back Pharmacare Seandún U21 A Football Championship titles.

Bishopstown goals from Brian McCarthy and Conor Dunne ultimately proved the decisive scores of the day. 

McCarthy slotted home late on in normal time to send the game to an extra period and Dunne - his side's chief scorer in Ballinlough - was to be the matchwinner. 

His late, late green flag, which brought his tally for the day to 1-4, was responsible for the joyous celebrations at referee Cormac Dineen's final whistle. 

Bishopstown had made the stronger start with Dunne, Colm Daly and Gary Holland on the scoresheet early, but Nemo seized command in the second quarter of proceedings, keeping their opponents scoreless.

That was to the exploits of Ruairí Hogan and Cork underage star Bryan Hayes.

Bishopstown's ill-discipline was starting to cost them, as Nemo's Hayes scored two consecutive frees, following up his earlier point from play, to give Nemo a 0–6 to 0–3 lead at the half. 

An evenly balanced second-half saw Nemo on top going into the final moments, only for McCarthy's intervention. 

The extra-time period ebbed and flowed, with Hayes and Dunne prominent for their sides, but it was Dunne's efforts that proved to be the difference in a thrilling finish as Bishopstown retained their champion status.

Down west, Bantry Blues secured the Clona Dairy Carbery under-21 A Football Championship with a convincing victory over Ibane Gaels on a scoreline of 4-10 to 1-9 in Dunmanway.

Having secured a commanding lead by the halfway mark, Bantry never looked back. Their 11-point lead was to be too much of a hill to climb for Ibane.

A fine team outing was supplemented by Cork underage starlet Dara Sheedy - contributor of 1-4 of his side's total by the end of proceedings.

Meanwhile, O'Donovan Rossa secures the under-21 B spoils with a comprehensive 5-10 to 1-6 win over neighbours Tadhg MacCarthaigh in Goleen.