Cork PMHC: Ballincollig sail past Douglas in opener

Ballincollig 1-24

Douglas 1-13

Ballincollig got their Minor Premier 1 hurling championship campaign off to a winning start after their win over Douglas.

The Village side were unlucky in last year’s championship and showed in this tie they will be serious contenders to make the knockout stages this season.

Both had a disappointing league campaigns but the Village made up for it with an impressive display and were deserving winners on the night.

Theo Morgan opened the scoring for Ballincollig after 15 seconds with Eoin Dwyer adding a second from a free. Jack Murray added a third as the Village led by 0-3 to no score with three minutes gone.

Morgan and Dwyer were both on target again as Ballincollig were playing the better hurling at this point.

It took until the 12th minute for Douglas to register a score, when Donnacha Reddington scored a goal directly from a free.

Dylan Murray and Liam O’Callaghan added points as Douglas started to settle. With 15 minutes gone they were back on level terms when Olier Haynes Barry scored, to make it 1-3 to 0-6.

Dwyer and Cathal Hallahan exchanged frees before Ballincollig went on a run of scores to take control.

Three frees from Dwyer made it 0-10 to 1-5 with half-time looming. Dwyer then raised a green flag to put them well in control and from here it was always going to be a difficult task for Douglas.

Tadhg Murphy and Dwyer added points with Hallahan replying for Douglas as the home side led by 1-12 to 1-6 at half-time.

Morgan and Dwyer extended Ballincollig’s lead early in the second half before Hallahan hit back for Douglas.

Points from Murray, Ethan Donovan, Kevin O’Leary and Dwyer extended their lead further, to make it 1-20 to 1-9 after 45 minutes.

Hallahan, Dylan Murray, and James Guiheen hit back for Douglas but two late points from Dwyer helped his side run out comprehensive winners.

Douglas must now beat Glen Rovers in their second group game in two weeks time to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the championship.

Scorers for Ballincollig: E Dwyer 1-15 (11f), T Morgan 0-3, J Murray 0-2, C Ahern, E Donovan, T Murphy, K O’Leary 0-1 each.

Douglas: D Reddington 1-0 (1-0f), C Hallahan 0-6 (3f), J Guiheen, O Haynes Barry, D Murray 0-2 each, L O’Callaghan 0-1.

BALLINCOLLIG: O Power; E Donovan D Lee, D Crowley; C Ahern, D O’Leary, K O’Leary; B O’Connell, C Power; T Murphy, D Miskella, J Murray; T Morgan, G Howard, E Dwyer.

Subs: P McCarthy for J Murray, C Ward for T Murphy (both 58), D Walshe for D Crowley, P Rose for G Howard (both 60).

DOUGLAS: N Duane; B O’Hehir, L Kelleher, T Hayes; D McPhaidin D Reddington, C O’Donoghue; O Haynes Barry, W Banks; F Gallagher, C Hallahan, D Murray; L O’Callaghan, D O’Connell, O Doherty.

Subs: S Sheedy for T Hayes, B O’Keeffe for F Gallagher (both ht), T Lucas for D O’Connell (40), J O’Donovan for W Banks (47), J Guiheen for O Doherty (50).

Referee: Brendan Barry Murphy, Aghabullogue.