Ballincollig pipped by Kilbrittain

Cork side were well worthy of their interval position. They led 0-8 to 0-6 but Ballincollig could still feel hopeful as they would resume with the wind to their backs.

The mid Cork side were on level terms 6 minutes into the second moiety following Cian Dorgan being on target from a free and from play and they regained the lead in the 40th minute.

Finbarr Kelly, Ballincollig’s long serving goalkeeper, came outfield to send the sliotar between the uprights from all of 100 metres and one expected that Ballincollig would now press on for victory following that inspirational score.

Kilbrittain had other ideas however, and Maurice Sexton punished his opponents for the frees which they conceded. He was on target from three while Pat O’Mahony and Ross Cashman raised white flags from play so Ballincollig had it all to do. They found themselves four points in arrears having been wide of the posts from good positions on a few occasions.

The players in green had to be admired for their determined finish however and Ciaran O’Sullivan, Cian Dorgan and Emmett Ryle all sent the sliotar between the uprights so the minimum separated the sides.

Time was running out for Ballincollig who had the misfortune to record eight wides during the second period but they won a scorable free which gave them an opportunity to equalise.

Finbarr Kelly again came forward to strike this important free and he was not found wanting. It was now 0-14 each and the players faced into twenty additional minutes of action.

Kilbrittain got a huge boost early in same when a long range effort from play from Maurice Sexton found its way to the Ballincollig net. Points from substitute Conor Sexton and Finbarr Kelly, from a 65, kept Ballincollig in touch but they had to face the breeze in the second extra time period.

Alan Hayes raised a white flag to make it 1-15 to 0-16 in Kilbrittain’s favour but Ballincollig did not give up and Cian Dorgan and Finbarr Kelly both sent the sliotar between the uprights.

The sides were again deadlocked and another day out was a possibility until Ballincollig had the misfortune to concede another free. Maurice Sexton scored the winning point from same so Ballincollig will have to make progress in the competition by the scenic route. They will have Barryroe as opponents in their next outing. Last Sunday’s victory by Kilbrittain was a good team performance with experienced players, Ross Cashman and Maurice Sexton, making enormous contributions.