Finally some movement on junior football championship

THE participation of players at inter-county level continues to hinder the Muskerry division in their efforts at making progress in their premier championship with some second chance encounters still to be decided.

They did manage to get one game played in each of the junior championships and the winners in both encounters performed well.

In the second round junior football encounter at Coachford Blarney who lost narrowly to Ballincollig in their first round encounter were expected to have the edge on Cill na Martra.

The men from the Muskerry gaeltacht had other ideas, however, as the displayed clearly their strength in depth in Gaelic football at present. The second choice side representing them had Blarney on the back foot from the off.

The winners led 0-6 to 0-1 as the first period was drawing to a close and they were really on the road to victory when Liam Ó Loinsigh crashed the football to the net prior to the short whistle.

Cill na Martra continued to have the edge when the action resumed and they secured three additional majors to ensure they were comprehensive victors.

Criostoir Ó Meachair scored the second, Liam Ó Loinsigh slotted home his own second and his sides third while Maidhci Ó Duinnin wrapped things up when he registered goal number four in injury time. Final score 4-10 to 1-7.

Players who particularly impressed for Cill na Martra were Micheal Ó Deasuna, Padraig Ó Criodain, Liam Ó Loinsigh and Maidhci Ó Duinnin.

The second chance encounter last Tuesday at Cloughduv involving the hurlers of Kilmichael and Ballincollig was expected to be exciting and it certainly lived up to expectations.

Kilmichael opened impressively as their star performer Peter Kelleher was in top form and they led 2-5 to 0-4 as the first quarter drew to a close. An unfortunate injury to Peter forced him to retire at that stage however so Kilmichael suffered a significant setback.

They led 2-11 to 1-11 at the interval so the winners were missing the presence of Kelleher and Ballincollig appeared to be in a good position. Determined play from Kilmichael however enabled them to move six points clear.

Ballincollig fought back well however and they sent the sliotar between the uprights on six occasions as the attendance were on their toes. Kilmichael managed to produce something extra in the dying seconds with a second goal from Conor Cotter clinching victory. Final score Kilmichael 3-17 Ballincollig 1-19.

Conor Cotter and Peter Kelleher while he was on the field were impressive figures for the winners and others worthy special mention are Stephen O Leary, Donal Kelly, Finbarr Buckley and Brendan Cotter. Candidates for promotion to intermediate championship duty, Conor Sexton and Rory O Doherty were outstanding for Ballincollig.