Ballincollig produce fine display to see off dogged Kilbrittain

Ballincollig 1-20 Kilbrittain 2-8

PRODUCING one of their better displays at intermediate hurling level of recent times Ballincollig advanced to the semi-final of the championship at Bandon on Saturday evening last. They were comfortable winners over Kilbrittain being generally well in control once they put an early period of unsteadiness in defence behind them.

The West Cork side appeared to be the more confident side in the early minutes and things were looking good for them when two Maurice Sexton points from frees were followed by a Declan Harrington point from play.

Ballincollig were finding the going hard in the full line of defence at that stage but one of their players in that sector Conor Sexton was in the top form. His spectacular clearances during that vital time were a source of inspiration to his colleagues and most of the winning side began to display improvement as the game progressed.

Current minor Sean Walsh scored a point for Ballincollig in the seventh minute and it was a sign of things to come as they subsequently dictated the exchanges. James O’Leary’s form at full back improved, Ciarán O’Sullivan went from strength to strength in his right half back position while centre half forward Eoin Hegarty had his direct opponent, Kilbrittain’s stalwart performer Ross Cashman on the back foot.

The West Cork side were still leading at the 11th minute when the score read 0-5 to 0-3 in their favour but sixteen minutes subsequently elapsed before they scored again. Ballincollig scored three points in as many minutes when Cian Dorgan from a free, Liam Jennings from play and Dorgan from a side-line ball were all on target.

The Muskerry side were consequently ahead and they stayed that way until the end. The winners lead increased when Robbie Bourke in the 16th minute and Dorgan in the 18th minute raised white flags and they were really looking good when the same duo raised two more white flags.

Midfielder David Desmond got a point back for Kilbrittain, but Ballincollig finished the first period strongly. Two minors from Sean Walsh meant that they retired leading 0-11 to 0-6 and it was a true reflection of their performance.

The winners quickly consolidated their position when the action resumed and points from Dorgan, Bourke and Walsh left Killbrittain with a mountain to climb. The latter managed to secure a major in the 39th minute when a long range effort from Tomas Sheehan found its way to the net as the Ballincollig goal-keeper appeared to be unsighted.

Undaunted Ballincollig responded effectively with minors from Eoin Hegarty, Bourke and Dorgan (2) keeping them comfortably ahead. Kilbrittain then managed to put some pressure on the Ballincollig defence which ended with them taking the sliotar over their own goal line.

It did not have any effect on the winners play however and they registered two more minors as Hegarty and Dorgan were on target. Maurice Sexton converted two more placed balls to improve his side’s scoreboard position before Ballincollig really put the issue beyond doubt.

They raised a green flag following a brother to brother movement. Stephen Coughlan who was introduced in the closing stages delivered the sliotar to his brother Ian in an excellent fashion and the latter billowed the Kilbrittain net. Ballincollig will be very happy to find themselves in the intermediate hurling championship semi-final and Saturday last was certainly their best performance since they dropped down to the lower grade of intermediate hurling in 2014.

Players who really stood out for Ballincollig on Saturday last were Conor Sexton outstanding throughout the hour in the full back line, Ciaran O’Sullivan a powerful figure at right half back once he got into his stride following the opening ten minutes, Cian Dorgan who continues to send the sliotar between the uprights on a regular basis, Eoin Hegarty who probably had his best game ever in the green jersey and young Sean Walsh who made a significant contribution in attack.

Kilbrittain’s best were John Murphy, Paudie Brennan, Tomas Sheehan and Maurice Sexton.

Scorers BALLINCOLLIG: Cian Dorgan (0-10 0-5 frees 0-2 65s 0-1 side-line); Sean Walsh (04), Ian Coughlan (1-0) Robbie Bourke and Eoin Hegarty (0-2) each, Liam Jennings and David Bowen (0-1 each) KILBRITTAIN: Maurice Sexton (0-5 0-4 frees 0-1 65), Tomás Sheehan (1-1 own goal 1-0)

BALLINCOLLIG: Dave Kenny, Mark Prendergast, James O’Leary, Conor Sexton, Conor O’Sullivan, Liam Jennings, Rory O’Doherty, Cian Dorgan, Colin Moore, David Bowen, Eoin Hegarty, Conor Kinsella, Sean Walsh, Ian Coughlan, Robbie Bourke

Subs: Stephen Coughlan for Kinsella (53), Peter O’Neill for Sean Walsh (60th)

KILBRITTAIN: Robert Hayes, James Hurley, John Murphy, Nick O’Donovan, Paudie Brennan, Ross Cashman, Michael O’Riordan, Tomás Sheehan, David Desmond, Pat O’Mahony, Chris Hickey, Maurice Sexton, Cian O’Leary, Tom Harrington, Declan Harrington Subs: Philip Wall for O’Mahony ½ time; Damian Desmond for O’Donovan (43), Morgan Madden for O’Leary 44th, Alan Hayes for David Desmond (57), David Desmond for Tom Harrington (58)

REFEREE: C Lyons (Nemo Rangers)