’Collig to provide a really stern test of Kiskeam
Kiskeam v Ballincollig
KISKEAM delivered a real statement of intent when overcoming Mallow in their last assignment almost five months ago while Ballincollig’s stunning win over Clyda Rovers last week confirms they are equipped for the cut and thrust of championship fare.
Ballincollig attempt to return to former glory days from this decade, impressing to claim the 2014 title from Carbery Rangers only for the latter turn the tables when the pair met again two years later.
Not the best of starts to the 2019 series, a defeat by O’Donovan Rossa sent Ballincollig back to the drawing board. That loss in April gave the Village ample time to recover before they returned at the close of summer with all guns blazing.
Indeed, it looks as if a freshened up Ballincollig made the most of the extended break and impressed on a 24 point victory over Clyda, their inside line of Darren Murphy, Garry Comerford and Cian Dorgan could do no wrong after clocking up a massive 3-8. Crucially Ballincollig held key operators in every line, wing backs J P Murphy and Cian Kiely showed a willingness to attack with a 1-1 tally clocked up.
And with Peter O’Neill and Patrick Kelly reigning supreme at midfield, Ballincollig were allowed to dictate in a really strong response after that opening round blot.
For Kiskeam’s part, they dug out an impressive victory over a fancied Mallow, prompted by the towering play Tomás Dennehy and Gene Casey to win plenty of ball in the middle third. And going forward, Seán and Tom O’Sullivan carried a scoring threat.
Right from the off, Kiskeam had hit the ground running with AJ O’Connor close to a major but Seán O’Sullivan and Mike Herlihy did oblige with green flags. Kiskeam enjoyed a decent run in the County FL Division 1, just missing out on reaching the decider.
Silverware did surface on winning the Duhallow Cup yet this is a step up and there is the added prize of the winner securing automatic senior A status for next season.
It would take a brave man to bet against Kiskeam from delivering another knock-out blow yet on current evidence, the Ballincollig challenge will be strong and with the help of a championship tussle under their belt only a week ago, they may pack more of a punch to reach a quarter-final.