Kiely the hero as Mallow edge Bishopstown with late goal to reach minor final

Mallow will face Ballincollig in the final next month. 

GAME WINNER: Trevor Kiely, Mallow checks his passing option in the Premier 1 Minor Football Championship semi-final against Bishopstown. Pic Larry Cummins

Rebel Óg U18 Premier 1 FC semi-final: Mallow 2-11 Bishopstown 0-16 

Mallow came with a strong finish to claim a one-point victory in the Rebel Óg U18 Premier 1 FC semi-final in the Mardyke on Wednesday night. Trevor Kiely’s goal two minutes from time regained a lead they hadn’t held until midway through the first-half in this enjoyable encounter.

Ben O’Shea followed with a point to stretch the advantage to two, but when Gary Holland bagged his sixth point in stoppage, it made for a nervy finish.

Mallow held out and will face Ballincollig in the final next month.

A bright start from both sides, Pádraig Britton getting Mallow off the mark in the first minute and Bill Cahill replying a minute later.

Gary Holland doubled the Bishopstown lead, while Cathal Mullins added to the Mallow scoreline.

It was three apiece when Holland pointed a free, but Andy Hourigan was on hand to achieve stalemate once again in an open free-flowing game.

A goal chance came the way of Bishopstown, but Devin Frey saved from Jack Tompkins - son of Larry who is on the management team, the ball eventually ending up wide.

The sides were level twice more before Bishopstown kicked three on the spin to open a three point lead, Mullins sent over another classy point two minutes from the short-whistle, to leave the interval score 0-8 to 0-6.

Bishopstown continued to dominate and pushed the lead out to six points at the end of the third quarter and looked to be coasting, 0-14 to 0-8, but the game was blown wide open when Hourigan pointed and then Mullins blasted a goal in the 46th minute after the ball came back off the post.

Bill Cahill sent over some glorious points for Bishopstown, 0-15 to 1-9 and eight minutes of normal time remaining.

Mullins cut the deficit to two in the 57th minute.

And the north Cork outfit weren’t finished yet with Kiely’s goal, the tonic flag.

It was those late Mallow scores that sealed victory.

Scorers for Mallow: C Mullins (1-3), T Kiely (1-0), A Hourigan (0-3), B O’Shea (0-2, 0-1 mark), P Britton, G Daly, A Murphy (0-1 each).

Scorers for Bishopstown: G Holland (0-6, 0-2 frees), B Cahill (0-4, 0-1 free), C Murray (0-2), S Rian Clarke, J Tompkins, N Crowley, S McBride (0-1 each).

MALLOW: D Frey; D Kingston, E Sheehan, P Murphy; E Walsh, G Daly, E Murphy; P Britton (Capt), J Roche; A Murphy, L Buckley, T Kiely; C Mullins, A Hourigan, B O’Shea Subs: J Murphy for E Murphy (half-time).

BISHOPSTOWN: S Murray; J O’Mahony, C Vaughan, R Lynch; O Foley, S Wiseman, S Rian Clarke; H Wixted, G Holland (Capt); C Caplice, J Tompkins, C Murray; B Cahill, N Crowley, S McBride.

Subs: C Galvin for S McBride (50), H Grant for S Rian Clarke (61).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).