Premier 1 MFC: Éire Óg and Bishopstown game called off due to serious injury

Éire Óg: 0-4 (0-1-2)

Bishopstown: 1-3 (1-0-3)

(Game called off after 21 minutes)

The Rebel Óg Premier 1 Minor Football Championship game between Éire Óg and Bishopstown was called off on Wednesday evening due to a serious injury.

This opening-round encounter in section two was a very enjoyable affair in Ovens, with the Town leading 1-3 to 0-4 after 21 minutes, but it was then called to a halt after Éire Óg forward James Healy suffered a knee injury.

Experienced referee James Regan handled the situation very well. An ambulance was called immediately, but after it didn’t show up after 45 minutes, the referee had no choice but to blow the full-time whistle.

Rebel Óg will now have to reschedule the game, but it’s expected not to take place until the end of the group stage.

Éire Óg made a super start, as Seán Murphy pointed a free followed by a Rian Coakley two-pointer inside three minutes.

It did take some time for Bishopstown, with Cork football legend Larry Tompkins a selector, to find their groove. A brilliant Andy Cuthbert pass set Neil Crowley through but his goal-bound effort was magnificently saved by Éire Óg goalkeeper Nathan Tait.

Cork football legend Larry Tompkins, Bishopstown selector, leaves the huddle after speaking to his players prior to the start of the game against Éire Óg. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Crowley was being fouled, as the referee brought it back for a free. Crowley popped over the easy free before Robert Clinton and Callum Caplice raised white flags as the Town drew parity at 0-3 each after nine minutes.

The away team struck for a goal after eleven minutes with Andy Cuthbert playing an important role as he assisted Crowley and the tall player wasn’t going to be denied this time as he finished low into the Éire Óg net.

Coakley did bisect the posts for the team in red and yellow, but then unfortunately Healy suffered a serious injury after 21 minutes. The match was then called off 45 minutes later.

Éire Óg manager Timmy O’Sullivan spoke to The Echo after the game was pulled.

“We want to wish young James Healy a speedy recovery, look, he's U16, an exceptional player, very good talent. Just unfortunate what happened there this evening.

"You can't do anything about that. The referee made the decision to pull the game. It was the right decision.”

Michael O'Riordan of Éire Óg in action against Alex Collins and Andy Cuthbert of Bishopstown. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Bishopstown boss Pat Cuthbert also passed on his side’s well wishes to Healy.

“We hope the player is alright. It was a very, very bad injury. We have no issue with the game being called off. The welfare of the player is always the priority. The referee made the correct call. We will come out and play Éire Óg again in the coming weeks.”

Scorers for Éire Óg: R Coakley 0-3 (1 2pt), S Murphy 0-1.

Bishopstown: N Crowley 1-1 (0-1 f), R Clinton, C Caplice 0-1 each.

ÉIRE ÓG: N Tait; M O'Riordan, A Hayfield, J O'Connell; R Coakley, M Sheehan, C O’Flynn; K Beechinor, C Sheehan; E Hyde, S Murphy, E Hogan; J Healy, S Hurley, D Sheehan.

Subs: -

BISHOPSTOWN: D Wiseman; M Conroy, R Lynch, E Walsh; S Young, R Clinton, D Coffey; N Crowley, C Caplice; A Cuthbert, S Clarke, A Collins; J Tompkins, B O’Brien, J O’Callaghan.

Subs: -

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).

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