Ballincollig backed to down the Barrs
COUNTY SFC Ballincollig v St Finbarrs Saturday April 22 Pairc Ui Rinn 8pm BY NOEL HORGAN
CROWNED champions for the first time in 2014, Ballincollig didn’t easily relinquish the title the following year, bowing out narrowly to Castlehaven – kingpins in 2012 and 2013 – in a classic quarter-final tie.
They filled the runners-up slot behind Carbery Rangers in 2016, and they are expected to be there-or-thereabouts again this year, but they are likely to be sternly tested by St Finbarrs in their opening assignment.
This will be the third meeting between the sides in four seasons, with Ballincollig coming through by a point and three points in their Round 1 encounters in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
The Barrs made their exit at the quarter-final stage last year, going under by three points to defending champions Nemo Rangers, who later succumbed by the minimum of margins to Ballincollig in the semi final.
Ballincollig will hold an edge in terms of experience over the city side, who will be looking to Stephen Sherlock, Dylan Quinn, both of whom starred during the club’s march to county Under 21 glory in 2016, and Cork seniors Ian Maguire and Michael Shields to spearhead their bid for the laurels.
addy Kelly, Liam Jennings, Noel Galvin, Cian Kiely, Sean Kiely, Ciaran O’Sullivan and Cian Dorgan are numbered among the leading lights in what looks a better-balanced Ballincollig team on paper.
Verdict: Ballincollig