Ballincollig march impressively to semi-final stage

Ballincollig 1-19 Kilbrittain 1-7

THE intermediate hurling championship game played at Bandon on Saturday was a quarter final encounter similar to last season with Ballincollig facing Kilbrittain and it had a somewhat similar result as the former again had a distinct edge.

Kilbrittain were in a good scoring mood when they had a comprehensive victory over Meelin in their last outing but their forwards made little impression on Saturday last against Ballincollig’s well marshalled defence.

From an early stage it was obvious that the winners had greater potential in attack while their mid-field duo nineteen year old Karl Walsh and current minor Fintan Denny proved to be a formidable duo.

Playing with the wind they were on the offensive much more often than their opponents in the first period so it was inevitable that they would move ahead, but their 0-10 to 0-5 half time advantage did not truly reflect their dominance.

Ballincollig struck nine wides in the first period to Kilbrittain’s four but they were still looking good for victory as they were on top in most sectors. Ballincollig went ahead in the game following two minutes of action when Cian Dorgan pointed a free, but Ross Cashman equalised two minutes later for Kilbrittain.

Ballincollig then endeavoured to stamp their authority on the game and minors from Fintan Denny and Cian Dorgan (a free) enhanced their position. Declan Harrington then replied with a point for Kilbrittain however so they were managing to stay in touch.

That was in the eighth minute and the west Cork side raised three additional white flags during the next ten minutes when Philip Wall twice and Maurice Sexton were on target while Dorgan twice scored for Ballincollig.

The sides were consequently on level terms at that stage but that was as good as it got for Kilbrittain and they did not score again before the short whistle. It was a successful period for their opponents however when they put five additional points on the board.

Clever play by David Bowen created an opening for Rob Bourke to send the sliotar between the uprights while Bowen subsequently was on target himself. Fintan Denny then confidently sent the sliotar between the uprights from long range and two Dorgan points from placed balls ensured Ballincollig had a five points advantage facing the second half.

The west Cork side would be backed by the breeze when the action resumed but the winners appeared likely to withstand same as their defenders were in good form. Ballincollig continued where they left off when the action resumed with minors from Dorgan (2) and Rob Bourke significantly consolidating their position and a fade out by their opponents looked likely.

Kilbrittain’s morale got a boost in the 41st minute, however, when Maurice Sexton made overhead contact and the sliotar ended in the back of the net. Ballincollig replied effectively as they went on the offensive from the puck out.

Both sets of players fought for possession in Kilbrittain’s defensive area where Rory O’Doherty despite being on the ground managed to get a hold of the ball. He was fouled as he endeavoured to head for goal and Cian Dorgan drove the sliotar between the uprights from the resultant free.

Ballincollig had regained the initiative as a consequence and they were well on the road to victory when John Paul Murphy moved up-field to score their 14th point in the 45th minute.

Kilbrittain only managed two additional points during the remaining playing time both from frees while Ballincollig registered 1-4. The major was a superb team effort with Karl Walsh finding David Bowen with his accurate delivery and the latter transferred to Ian Coughlan who duly found the opposing net.

Their point scorers during that period were Dorgan (2 frees), Conor Kinsella and Karl Walsh.

It was a satisfying afternoon for Ballincollig with all of their players showing up well. Some were particularly impressive. Conor Sexton and Liam Jennings were outstanding their reliable defence, Karl Walsh shone at centre field where he was ably assisted by Fintan Denny while David Bowen’s ability to create scoring opportunities for his colleagues must be lauded. BALLINCOLLIG: Ronan Cambridge, Ross O’Donovan, James O’Leary, Conor Sexton, Ciarán O’Sullivan, Liam Jennings, John Paul Murphy (0-1), Fintan Denny (02), Karl Walsh (0-1), Robbie Bourke (0-2), Ian Coughlan (1-0), Peter O’Neill, David Bowen (0-1), Rory O’Doherty, Cian Dorgan (0-11, 9f) Subs: Conor Kinsella (0-1) for O’Doherty (inj), 42, Conor Moore for Fintan Denny (inj), 46, Luke Fahy for Bourke, 50, Sean Walsh for Bowen, 60

KILBRITTAIN: Ian Hodge, Sean Crowley, James Hurley, Damien Desmond, Nick O’Donovan, Tom Harrington, Paudie Brennan, Conor Moloney, David Desmond, Sam Shorten, Ross Cashman (0-2f), Cian O’Leary, Philip Wall (0-2), Maurice Sexton (1-2, 1f), Declan Harrington (0-1) Subs: Thomas Sheehan for Shorten, half-time, Morgan Madden for O’Leary, 41, Michael O’Riordan for Brennan, 47, Sam Dewey for Crowley, 49

REFEREE: Cathal Egan (Glen Rovers)