Cork SAFC: Ballingeary book knockout spot with win over Bishopstown

Gos were key for the West Cork outfit at Coachford.

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025 - 15:58

Rory Noonan

Ballingeary 3-9 (3-0-9) Bishopstown 1-12 (1-1-10)

Goals were the key scores as West Cork side Ballingeary are into the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance SAFC following their win at Coachford on Sunday afternoon.

They came into the tie on three points, one behind their opponents, so knew that at the very least they needed a draw to guarantee their spot in the knockout stages and they went one better to win.

Bishopstown had the strong wind at their backs in the first half and were soon in front when Conor Dunne scored from a free after four minutes.

Two minutes later and the first goal of the tie came, but it did so at a cost to the Town.

Bill Cahill won the ball back out near the sideline but in doing so injured his shoulder and had to leave the pitch.

However, his last involvement saw him play Simon Collins in and his pass found Jack Murphy to goal.

Ballingeary hadn’t offered much in attack to this point, not surprising with the wind, but once they did Conchur Ó Loingsigh scored a magnificent point to get them off the mark.

With 10 minutes gone they were back on level terms as he set up Nollaig Ó Laoire for a goal, to make it 1-1 each.

The Town were doing most of the attacking and were rewarded with a two pointer when captain Darragh O’Connor led by example to score from distance.

They had another goal opportunity but this time Darren Ó Coill saved superbly to deny Brian Clifford a green flag.

Dunne and Liam Hogan pointed to increase the Town’s lead, before Diarmuid MacThomáis hit back for Ballingeary.

Just before the half-time whistle Collins pointed for the Town to see them lead by 1-6 to 1-3 at the break.

A minute into the second half and Ballingeary had their second goal, when Ó Loingsigh was fouled and they were awarded a penalty, which Donagh Seartan slotted home.

Ó Loingsigh added a point from the restart and MacThomáis was also on target as they made it 2-5 to 1-6 after 33 minutes.

Kevin Murphy pointed to put one between the sides, with Ó Loingsigh replying at the other end.

Points from Odhran Foley and Gary Holland had the sides level after 45 minutes, 2-6 to 1-9.

MacThomáis and Ben Seartan scored to put Ballingeary back in front before the Town thought they had a goal.

Clifford palmed the ball to the net, but the referee disallowed it for a square ball.

With 50 minutes gone the killer score came when Donagh Seartan and Gavin Ó Laoire combined to set up Ben Seartan for their third goal, 3-8 to 1-10.

The Town had another goal chance, this time Ó Coill denying Holland, before he and Dunne pointed to put two between them.

But late on, MacThomáis scored to see his side advance to the semi-final in a few weeks time.

Scorers for Ballingeary: D Seartan 1-2 (1-0 pen), B Seartan 1-1, N Ó Laoire 1-0, C Ó Loingsigh, D MacThomáis 0-3 each.

Bishopstown: J Murphy 1-0, C Dunne 0-4 (2f), D O’Connor (1 2 pointer), G Holland 0-2 each, L Hogan, S Collins, K Murphy, O Foley 0-1 each.

BALLINGEARY: D Ó Coill; P Ó Tuama, S Ó Donnchu, C Ó Nuanáin; E Ó Duinnin, G Ó Laoire, B Ó hArgáin; D Ó Briain; S Ó Tuama; D Ó Ceallacháin, C Ó Loingsigh, N Ó Laoire; D MacThomáis, C Ó Duinnin; D Seartan.

Subs: B Seartan for C Ó Duinnin (43), S Ó Muimhneacháin for N Ó Laoire (45), D Ó Ceallacháin for E Ó Duinnin (48), D Ó Laoire for S Ó Tuama (53).

BISHOPSTOWN: C O’Driscoll; L Hogan, E Byrne, H Wisted; D O’Connor, M Power, O Foley; K Murphy, J Murphy; C Dunne, K McFadden, P Casey; B Cahill, S Collins, G Holland.

Subs: B Clifford for B Cahill (6 inj), L O’Driscoll for J Murphy (55).

Referee: Robert Whelan, Aghada.