Victory keeps Ballincollig’s IHC hopes alive

Ballincollig 2-16 Valley Rovers 0-15

THE Covid-19 problem continues to restrict attendances at Gaelic games in Cork but the Ballincollig supporters who were able to attend the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship were heard loud and clear. The team’s defeat in their opening game with Watergrasshill was a major disappointment last weekend so their second outing at Cloughduv on Saturday last was a must win game.

Their opponents Valley Rovers were perceived to be formidable and Ballincollig were conscious of the fact that the south east side knocked them out of the 2019 Premier Intermediate championship. The valleys got off to a good start when Chris O’Leary sent the sliotar between the uprights from two placed balls. Ballincollig also from a free then opened their account when the in form Cian Dorgan performed the needful. Once they opened their account Ballincollig’s confidence was enhanced. Their defenders were particularly impressive for the remainder of the opening moiety.

The 2018 Intermediate (A) County champions led 0-9 to 0-7 at the short whistle as Dorgan, Fentan Denny and Robbie Bourke displayed the ability to send the sliotar between the uprights and they were not flattered by their position. Taking the wrong options on a couple of occasions when scores appeared inevitable cost them additional opportunities that would have consolidated their position. They were entitled to feel confident however as they had the better of the exchanges for most of the first period and they could press on when the action resumed.

Ballincollig did improve their situation when the game restarted as they clearly could sense victory with their supporters in attendance in a similar mood as they were audible to a significant degree. Another point from a Dorgan free in the 31st minute consolidated their position and they were very much in the driver’s seat two minutes later when Gearóid O Donoghue crashed the sliotar to the net. Colm Butler raised the Valley’s hopes briefly when he scored two minors (one from a free). Cian Dorgan ensured that daylight stayed between the sides when he secured his sides 11th point in the 38th minute this time from play. Chris O’Leary was again on target from another Valleys free. It was promptly nullified however when Dorgan performed the needful from another free and Ballincollig moved further ahead when Conor O’Leary registered minor number 12 in the 42nd minute.

A determined effort by the south east side brought about some improvement when another O’Leary point from a placed ball was followed by one from play by former Cork senior Kevin Canty who was introduced to the fray for the second moiety. Cottrell made it 14 points for the losers entering the final quarter and with only two now separating the sides Ballincollig had some cause for concern. That concern was of short duration however as they went determinedly on the offensive.

A goal-scoring effort by the evergreen David Bowen was close to goalline and Cian Dorgan who was following the effort made sure that it reached its destination. Minors from the Muskerry side followed from Walsh and Dorgan so they were in a good position with time on their side. O Leary from a 65 reduced the arrears to two goals and the Valleys made a good effort to raise a green flag in the dying seconds.

The determination of the opposing defence to put their bodies on the line to ensure that did not happen was most praiseworthy and they eventually went on the attack. That attack ended with Walsh sending the sliotar between the uprights to clinch victory for Ballincollig.

This was a very satisfying victory for all those supporting the team as the disappointing defeat of the previous week left them very vulnerable vis-a-vis championship progress. They had to win and they certainly rose to the occasion. They have still another formidable hurdle to surmount to have a successful end to this first section of the championship however and their opponents in their final group game Ballinhassig will give them plenty to think about.

Last week’s victory was a good team performance with Ross O Donovan being particularly impressive in their reliable defence. Two other players from that sector who have been particularly impressive for the club in both codes for a number of years Liam Jennings and Ciarán O’Sullivan also stood out while Robbie Bourke continues to go from strength to strength at center field and Cian Dorgan was in top form in attack.

BALLINCOLLIG: James Linehan, Ross O Donovan, Liam Jennings, Shane Murphy, Ciaran O Sullivan, Barry Coleman, Mark Prendergast, John Paul Murphy, Robbie Burke (0-1), Gearóid O Donoghue (1-1), David Bowen, Conor O Leary (0-1), Sean Walsh (0-3), Cian Dorgan 1-8 (0-6f), Fentan Denny (0-2). Subs: Peter O Neill for Bowen (50), Paul Cooney for Denny (53)

VALLEY Rovers: Darragh Looney, Tomás O Brien, David Lynch, Eoin Delaney, Mark O Leary, Chris O Leary 0-6 (5f, 1 ‘65’), William Hurley, Noel O Donovan, Cormac Kilduff (0-1), Jack Walsh, Joe Lynch (0-1), John Cottrell (0-2), Adam Kenneally (0-1), Cormac Desmond (0-1), Colm Butler 0-2 (1f). Subs: Rory O Sullivan for O Donovan (ht), Kevin Canty (0-1) for Joe Lynch (ht), Eoin O Reilly for Kenneally (41), Séan O Regan for Desmond (50)

REFEREE: Niall O Neill (Midleton)