U16 Premier 2 County Hurling semi-final

​ Match report by Eoin Coyne Eochaill Óg 0-15 Bishopstown 0-9
 
A place in the under 16 Premier 2 County final was up for grabs on Sunday last, as the Youghal hurlers made their second trip of the week to Bishopstown 4G Astro pitch. Having dispatched of Araglen/Kilworth at the venue on Monday night on a scoreline of 3-17 to 2-10; it was Bishopstown themselves who played hosts for this semi-final contest.
 
It was the home side who registered the first score of the game in the opening minute, before a brace of pointed frees from Dylan Lyons got Youghal up and running.
 
Youghal quickly took control of the game in the early stages, and were it not for the difficult conditions, they could have been further in front. Jack Dineen and Cian Galvin dominating the midfield battle.
 
The chances continued to present themselves for the seasiders with Luke Lenane, Brian Lynch and Jamie Lenane all coming close.
 
Bishopstown drew level on 10 minutes and that was the closest they got to a Youghal team who, despite the elements, took scores through Jamie Lenane (2), another Lyons free & a long-range placed ball from Oisin Walsh.
 
Fionn Hill at left half back was strong in possession and launched attack after attack, while Ronan & Senan O’Brien snuffed out any opposition threat across the 45-metre line.
At the short whistle; it read Youghal 0-6 Bishopstown 0-4.
 
At the turn, the weather worsened and Youghal had the aid of the wind at their backs for the second half.
 
With the rain now bucketing, possession proved vital and Youghal started the livelier of the two teams. Up front, the pace of James Coyne & Brian Lynch caused problems and Dylan Lyons continued to be accurate with the placed ball.
 
Points from Luke Lenane & Lynch put them in the ascendancy and forced the opposition to go in search of goals as the clock ticked towards 60 minutes.
 
As they tried to manoeuvre opportunities, the fullback line proved equal to any chances. Marty Desmond at fullback, ably assisted by Gearoid Geary & Liam Durkin snuffed out the danger at source while Oisin Walsh was always comfortable under the high ball.
 
Youghal had a goal chance of their own in the last 15 minutes but a fantastic save from the Bishoptown goalkeeper denied Zack Skehan who did the right thing by pulling first time on as the ball moved across the large rectangle.
 
Youghal, who always looked in control, finished out the game with a monster score from Cian Galvin, and thus booked their place in the County Final on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-9.
 
They now await the winners of Mallow and Shandrum with the final set for Saturday 26th of November.
 
Scorers: Dylan Lyons (0-9, 0-7frees), Jamie Lenane (0-2), Oisin Walsh (0-1 free), Luke Lenane, Brian Lynch, Cian Galvin (0-1 each).
 
Fioreann Eochaille: Oisin Walsh, Liam Durkin, Marty Desmond, Gearoid Geary, Fionn Hill, Ronan O’Brien(capt.), Senan O’Brien, Jack Dineen, Cian Galvin, James Coyne, Brian Lynch, Dylan Lyons, Zack Skehan, Luke Lenane , Jamie Lenane.
Fir Ionaid: Ewie McCarthy, Finn Coleman (on for Z Skehan 56), Ralph Cashman, Padraig Kennedy, Jayden Casey, Diego Trossero (on for J Lenane 56), Noah Hegarty, Paddy Nicholson, Dylan Hennessy, Tadgh Reilly, Cal Cashman, Eoin Kennedy.