Douglas roar back to wrestle the Premier 1 Minor Football crown from Ballincollig

Douglas 2-11 Ballincollig 1-10

DOUGLAS lifted the Carrigaline Court Hotel U18 Premier 1 Football title after an enthralling final at Pairc Ui Rinn on Tuesday evening.

The favourites excelled in the second half to come from behind, helped by a goal just before half-time from Aaron Sheehy, and another from David Kelly in the last 10 minutes.

Ballincollig made the perfect start inside four minutes as Darragh O’Mahony’s long, hopeful shot slipped past Cork minor keeper Cian O’Leary.

Further points from Dara Dorgan (free), Evan Cooke, Pauric O’Keeffe and Liam O’Connell put them in a commanding position to repeat their 2011 victory over the city side as they marched 1-4 to no score ahead.

Douglas struggled for accuracy and after hitting five wides they finally opened their account through Diarmuid McCarthy.

That much-needed score seemed to settle any nerves and although the Collig hit back with another Dorgan free, Douglas rallied to get themselves back to within two points by half time.

Fionn Sheehan fired over a superb effort but that came shortly after Aaron Sheehy coolly took the ball past the keeper and blasted it past the defender on the line to raise a green flag, 1-5 to 1-3 at the break.

They brought that momentum into the second period and they were soon level at 1-5 apiece thanks to Aaron Sheehy and Shane Ahern.

Ballincollig quickly regained their composure and notched five of the next seven points to put themselves in a decent position entering the final quarter, 1-10 to 1-7.

They wouldn’t score again though and with the help of the brilliant Alan O’Hare and Adam Cantwell off the bench and a late goal from David Kelly, Douglas finished powerfully to seal the silverware.

Scorers for Douglas: A Sheehy 1-2, D Kelly 1-0, A O’Hare 0-3, A Cantwell and D McCarthy 0-2 each, F Sheehan and S Ahern 0-1 each.

Ballincollig: D O’Mahony 1-1, D Dorgan 0-5 (0-3 frees), J Ambrose, E Cooke, L O’Connell and P O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: C O’Leary; C Donlon, C Buckley, S Geaney; D Harte, A Dunphy, J Harte; E Nash, N Harnett; L O’Keefe, F Sheehan, S Ahern; D McCarthy, A Cotter, A Sheehy.

Subs: D Kelly for A Dunphy (27), A Cantwell for A Cotter (35), C McGrath for L O’Keeffe (38), A O’Hare for F Sheehan (38), C Ó Dubhghaill for S Ahern (45), C Deasy for D McCarthy (64).

BALLINCOLLIG: C Walshe; C Twomey, S O’Donoghue, M Bourke; C O’Leary, J O’Connor, L O’Connell; S Dore, E Cooke; J Cotter, S Wills, P O’Keefe; J Ambrose, D Dorgan, D O’Mahony.

Subs: H Ahearne for J Cotter (32), M Oldham for M Bourke (h-t), R Forde for P O’Keeffe (38), D Ryan for S Dore (48), D Ebili for D O’Mahony (56).

Referee: Alan Long (Argideen Rangers).