Ballincollig make amends with win over neighbours Muskerry

Ballincollig 3-21 Muskerry 0-16

BALLINCOLLIG made amends for their recent defeat at the hands of Valley Rovers in the Cork Senior Football Championship when a comprehensive victory over fellow mid Cork side Muskerry qualified them for the fourth round of the competition.

The divisional side had some very experienced players in their line out but Ballincollig had to be favoured due to the fact that their advantage in the area of collective preparation with a consequent edge in intensity would tilt the balance in their favour.

That edge very much manifested itself over the hour even though the early minutes were promising for Muskerry. Both of the divisional side’s mid-fielders Fintan Good and Micheál O’Laoire confidently drove the football between the uprights.

Those scores only proved to be a false dawn, however, with Ballincollig going strongly on the offensive. Their inside forwards were providing all kinds of problems for Muskerry’s full line of defence.

The winners went ahead in the fourth minute when Ian Coughlan sent a powerful drive to the net. They were close to securing a second a minute later when an effort from Sean Kiely struck the crossbar and went over and they stayed on the offensive as they were now performing with confidence.

Muskerry were really on the back foot at this stage and Ballincollig did secure that second major. Good work by Ciarán O’Sullivan put Patrick Kelly in the clear and green flag was raised.

The score was 2-2 to 0-2 following 11 minutes of action with the winners likely to consolidate their position and it was fortunate that Muskerry players Fintan Goold, John Corkery and Michael O’Laoire made a significant impact to ensure that interest in the contest was maintained.

The divisional side managed to put some scores on the board but Ballincollig still led at the interval 2-9 to 0-7. Similar to the opening period, Muskerry attacked following the resumption of play and Micheál Ó Laoire sent the ball between the uprights for his second point. This score did not signify a significant fight back as it was quickly nullified when Seán Kiely was on target for Ballincollig.

Two points from Daniel Goulding gave Muskerry renewed hope but this was as good as it got for the divisional side. Ballincollig were taking no chances and a movement initiated by Patrick Kelly ended with Cian Dorgan palming their third goal.

Dorgan and Kelly then followed with minors so the game had moved out of Muskerry’s reach as the final quarter was being played out. The divisional side did manage to score six additional points before the finish, but Ballincollig replied by going on a point scoring spree which included minors from the substitutes when they were introduced.

It was a comprehensive victory for Ballincollig who will now face the 4th round of the championship with a degree of confidence. Players who particularly impressed for the winners on Friday last were the Kiely Brothers – Sean and Cian, Ciarán O’Sullivan, Cian Dorgan, Patrick Kelly and Ian Coughlan.

Those who achieved most for Muskerry were John Corkery, Micheál O’Laoire, Fintan Goold and Daniel Goulding.

Scorers

BALLINCOLLIG: Cian Dorgan (1-5), Patrick Kelly (1-2), Sean Kiely (0-4), Ian Coughlan (1-1), Ciarán O’Sullivan, Cian Kiely and Rob Noonan (0-2 each), George Durrant, Kevin Browne and Eoin O’Reilly (0-1 each)

MUSKERRY: Daniel Goulding (0-5 0-2 Frees), Micheál Ó’Laoire, Fintan Goold and David Goold (0-2 each), John Corkery, Ben Seartan, Cathal Vaughan, Darren Dineen and Brian Cronin (0-1 each)

BALLINCOLLIG: Jack Gibbons, Shane Murphy, Noel Galvin, Eoin Hegarty, Colin Moore, Liam Jennings, Cian Kiely, Ciarán O’Sullivan, Sean Kiely, Stephen Couglan, Patrick Kelly, George Durrant, Kevin Browne, Cian Dorgan, Ian Coughlan Subs: Dylan Kirsten for Cian Kiely 43rd injured, Rob Noonan for Cian Dorgan, Eoin O’Reilly for Ian Coughlan, Peter O’Neill for Ciarán O’Sullivan (all 55th)

MUSKERRY: John Buckley (Aghabullogue), Amhlaoibh Ó’Loinsigh (Béal Athan Ghaorthaidh), Séamus Ó Mathúna (Naomh Aban), Michael Cronin (Macroom), John Corkery (Aghabullogue), Sean Kiely (Macroom), Conor Cotter (Kilmichael), Fintan Goold (Macroom), Micheál Ó’Laoire (Naomh Abán), David Goold (Macroom), Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael), Dave Horgan (Macroom), Daniel Goulding (Eire Óg), Cathal Vaughan (Ivelary), Ben Seartan (Béal Athan Ghaorthaidh) Subs: Dave McCarthy (Kilmurry) for Peter Kelleher 22nd (injured); Brian Cronin (Iveleary) for Dave Horgan 42nd, Darren Dineen (Clondrohid) for Cathal Vaughan 47th, Michael Corkery (Eire Óg) for Amhlaoibh Ó’Loinsigh (53rd), Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary) for Ben Seartan (60th)

REFEREE: E. Sheehy (Newcestown)