Ballincollig and Eire Óg set for U21 final
MUSKERRY U-21’A’ FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS
Ballincollig 1-16 Kilmurry 0-13
THE Muskerry GAA board were glad that the weather was good last weekend as their two games in the semi-finals of the division’s under 21(A) football championships went ahead as planned. They were both played on Saturday afternoon and the contest that took place at Coachford involved Kilmurry and Ballincollig.
Kilmurry captured this particular championship in 2018 and they were hoping to qualify for another final considering that a good number of last season’s winning team were still at their disposal. Ballincollig who had disappointed at under-21 championship for the past two seasons had a very formidable team on duty however with players in their line out who had figured prominently in senior championship football. Those on duty were obviously determined to make amends for the poor displays of the previous two years and they were shaping like winners for most of the hour.
Kilmurry tried their utmost throughout to stay in contention and they only trailed by two points at the interval but their opponents were close to finding the net on a couple of occasions. Kilmurry were thankful to their goalkeeper Eoin Curzon who made superb saves and it was clear that they never were going to subject the opposing defence to the same degree of pressure.
Ballincollig were on the offensive from the throw in and they quickly put scores on the board. David McCullagh, Eoin O Reilly and Darren Murphy all raised white flags and Kilmurry were finding it hard to reply. The winners defence gave nothing away and their decision to give senior player Kevin Crowley the task of marking their danger man Eoin Clifford proved to be most effective.
Nine minutes had elapsed before Kilmurry opened their account a point from a free by Sean Warren and another minor this time from play by their best forward Liam Wall was an additional boost to their morale. Ballincollig were in scoring positions more often and when they led 0-5 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter they were looking comfortable. The winners scored four additional points to their opponents three before the short whistle sounded so they led 0-9 to 0-6 and their position flattered Kilmurry.
Ballincollig dominated the third quarter as Kilmurry’s cúl baire and backs defended gallantly and a 0-13 to 0-8 score line indicated that the former were well on the road to victory. Two points from Darren Murphy put them further ahead but a good effort by Kilmurry to stay in contention yielded three points. Two from Liam Wall and one from substitute Greg Fitton.
Ballincollig subsequently squandered a couple of scoring opportunities before they registered the only goal of the game in the 55th minute. Substitute Darragh Dorgan transferred the football to Evan Cooke perfectly and the latter confidently found the Kilmurry net.
There was no way back for the outgoing champions at that stage but they did manage to reduce the arrears when Sean Warren from a free and Eoin Clifford from play sent the football between the uprights. Ballincollig subsequently had the final say when Darren Murphy pointed a free.
They will now face Eire Óg in the final following the Bride Valley side’s extra-time victory over Inniscarra in the second semi-final last Saturday.
D Murphy (0-10, 0-2 frees), E O Reilley (0-3, 0-1 45), E Cooke (1-0), L Fahy, D McCullagh and J O Leary (0-1 each)
KILMURRY: S Warren (0-6, 0-4 frees), L Wall (0-4, 0-1 frees), J O Mullane, E Clifford and G Fitton (0-1 each)
BALLINCOLLIG: Sean Horgan, Sean Walsh, Gearoid O Donoghue, Fintan Denny, Robbie Bourke, Kevin Crowley, Karl Walsh, Luke Fahy, Jordan Murray, David McCullagh, Evan Cooke, James O Leary, Jordan O Connor, Darren Murphy, Eoin O Reilly. Subs: Darragh Dorgan for J O Leary (49), Ciarán Twomey for K Walsh (54), Fionáin O Donovan for D McCullagh (56), Shane O Neill for S Walsh (57)
KILMURRY: Eoin Curzon, Mark Dormey, Fionn Warren, William Ronan, Brian Hinchion, Liam O Sullivan, Darragh Linehan, Sean Flannagan, Kyle Kelleher, Liam Wall, James O Mullane, Evan Carroll, Denis Dullea, Eoin Clifford, Sean Warren. Subs: Gregg Fitton for D Dullea (h-t), Jack Casey for S Flanagan (48), Stephen O Donoghue for K Kelleher (51), Denis Dullea for D Linehan (54)
REFEREE: John Ryan (Macroom) FRIDAY, MARCH 29
Central Stores Kanturk U21 BFC Final
Duarigle Gaels v Knocknagree, Kiskeam 8pm
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Ducon Cup
Knocknagree v Castlemagner, Knocknagree 12 noon
Lyre v Cullen, Banteer 2pm
Nevin Cup 2
Freemount v Tullylease, Freemount 2pm Glenlara v St. Johns B, Glenlara 2pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
E Tarrant & Sons Skoda JAFC
Boherbue v Lyre, Dromtariffe 7pm
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
E Tarrant & Sons Skoda JAFC
Cullen v Castlemagner, Banteer 2pm
AVONDHU FIXTURES
Deel Rovers v Glanworth, Milford 4.00pm
Under 21 A FC
Charleville v Mitchelstown, Doneraile 5.00pm
Under 21 B FC
Kildorrery v Buttevant, Shanballymore 4.00pm
SUNDAY MARCH 31
Div 1 HL
Kilshannig v Dromina, Glantane 11.00am Ballyhooly v Shanballymore, Ballyhooly 2.30pm
Div 2 HL
Buttevant v Castletownroche, Buttevant 2.30pm Charleville v Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels Charleville 2.30pm
Kilworth v Mallow, Kilworth 2.30pm Ballyhea v Fermoy, Ballyhea 3.00pm
Div 3 HL
Fermoy v Kilshannig, Fermoy 2.30pm Milford v Shanballymore, Milford 2.30pm
TUESDAY APRIL 2
Under 21 B FC
Clyda Rovers v St. Dominic’s Mallow 8.00pm
COUNTY BOARD FIXTURES
UCC v Muskerry, Pairc Ui Rinn 6.30pm Duhallow v CIT, Pairc Uí Rinn, 8pm
Red FM County HL Division 1
Na Piarsaigh v Erins Own, Na Piarsaigh 7.30pm Newtownshandrum v Blackrock, Newtownshandrum 8.00pm
Rochestown Park Division 3 FL
Douglas v Rockchapel, 4 G pitch Pairch Ui Chaoimh 8.15pm
FRIDAY MARCH 29
Rochestown Park Div 2 FL
Newcestown v Mallow, Ballincollig, 8.30pm
SUNDAY MARCH 31
Red FM Co Div 1 HL
Erins Own v Ballyhea, Pairc Ui Chaoimh 5.00pm
Red FM Co Div 2 HL
Charleville v Castlelyons, Charleville 5.30pm
Rochestown Park Div 3 FL
St Finbarr’s v Cill na Marthra, Togher 2.00pm
Rochestown Park Div 2 FL
Kanturk v Macroom, Kanturk 12.00md Carrigaline v Eire Og, Carrigaline 2.00pm
Rochestown Park Div 3 FL
Aghada v Glanworth, Rostellan 2.00pm Naomh Aban v Nemo Ranbgers, Ballyvourney 2.00pm
Rochestown Park Div 4 FL
Grenagh v Mitchelstown, Grenagh 2.00pm Kildorrery v Kinsale, Kildorrery 2.00pm Bantry Blues v Gabriel Rangers, Ballydehob 3pm
Rochestown Park Div 5 FL
Dromtarriffe v Youghal, Mallow 2.00pm Na Piarsaigh v Millstreet, Na Piarsaigh 2.00pm