PIHC: Michael Sheehan's point at the death sends Kilworth into the decider after a gripping battle with Ballincollig

Kilworth: 1-20 

Ballincollig: 2-16 

MICHAEL SHEEHAN was the hero as Kilworth edged out Ballincollig in a ding-dong battle in the Co-Op SuperStores PIHC semi-final at Riverstown on Saturday evening.

There was nothing between the teams and it looked like extra-time was on the cards until the forward popped up with the winning point in the fourth minute of injury-time with the referee sounding the full-time whistle from the resulting puck-out.

It was typical Kilworth, a battled hardened outfit, as they will now face Castlelyons in the decider.

Conditions had a big bearing on this game with underfoot conditions very slippery. Ballincollig hit the first point through a David O’Sullivan free from the half-way line, but Kilworth were the better team in the early stages as they hit three unanswered points, Jamie Sheehan with two and a Liam Whelan effort, 0-3 to 0-1 after 17 minutes.

There was plenty of bite in this one as the sides exchanged the next four points, 0-5 to 0-3 after 23 minutes. Ballincollig’s wayward shooting was their downfall. The Mid-Cork decided to mix it up and the long ball into the forwards paid dividends as they scored 1-2 without reply, Brian Keating with an excellent finish after being set up by Tadhg O’Connell, 1-5 to 0-5 after 27 minutes.

Kilworth’s response was two quick fire points before a Cian Dorgan free gave the Village a two-point lead. On the stroke of the half-time whistle, Kilworth rippled the back of the net through a neat Cormac Donnellan finish after being set up brilliantly by the influential Will Condon, 1-7 to 1-6 at the break. Ballincollig ended up with nine wides in the opening 30 minutes.

The sides swapped the first four points of the new half, as Kilworth led 1-9 to 1-8 after 37 minutes. Steve Wills, who had a mighty game levelled the contest, before Dorgan goaled for the Muskerry wide after Conor Sexton did well in the build-up, 2-9 to 1-9 after 38 minutes.

Kilworth’s response was outstanding, as they hit five of the next six points. Michael Sheehan with four points, two frees, and a Donnellan effort, 1-14 to 2-10 after 45 minutes. The sides traded points before Keating levelled up matters, 2-12 to 1-15 with 12 minutes remaining. It was tit for tat for the remainder of the game. Kilworth held a one point advantage, 1-18 to 2-14 as the game ticked into injury-time.

O’Connell pointed to level up matters before Eoin Carey, who was majestic for the winners, bisected the posts. A Wills free tied up the game once more and extra-time looked inevitable until Michael Sheehan stepped up to spark wild celebrations from the winning camp. Heartbreak for Ballincollig.

Scorers for Kilworth: M Sheehan 0-6 (0-3 f), J Sheehan 0-5, C Donnellan 1-2, L Whelan 0-3, E Carey, N McNamara 0-2 each.

Ballincollig: C Dorgan 1-3 (0-2 f, 0-1 65), B Keating 1-2, S Wills 0-5 (0-2 f), D O’Sullivan (f) T O’Connell 0-2 each, B Coleman, A Wills 0-1 each.

KILWORTH: K Heggtveit; L Carey, K Lane, A O’Hara (joint-capt); J Saich, D Twomey, M Gowen; L Whelan, E Carey; J Sheehan, N McNamara, W Condon; M Sheehan, C Donnellan, B Sheehan (joint-capt).

Subs: R Jordan for J Saich (h-t, injured), L Coffey for C Donnellan (57), P Riordan for J Sheehan (61).

BALLINCOLLIG: J Linehan; R O’Donovan (capt), C Moore, F Denny; D O’Sullivan, C O’Leary, B Coleman; J Dwyer, C Sexton; S O’Neill, B Keating, S Wills; T O’Connell, C Dorgan, C O’Driscoll.

Subs: C O’Sullivan for C Moore (42), A Wills for C O’Driscoll (53), P Cooney for C Dorgan (56), B Dore for R O’Donovan (58).

Referee: Niall O’Neill (Midleton).