Premier 1 MHC: Rampant Ballincollig impress with win over Aghada
Ballincollig's Tadhg Murphy fires over a point in Tuesday's Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC game against Aghada at Rostellan. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A superb attacking performance from Ballincollig made it two wins from two in Section 1 of the Rebel Óg Premier 1 MHC as they eased past Aghada on Tuesday night.
The visitors led from trap to wire at Rostellan, taking advantage of the wind behind them in the first half to lead by 3-15 to 2-6 at half-time.
Tadhg Murphy pointed inside the opening 20 seconds for the first score of a tally that would total at 2-5 and they were 0-9 to 0-3 ahead when Jack Murray struck for their first goal on the quarter-hour.
In the second half, Ballincollig’s diligence ensured that an Aghada comeback was never a likelihood, with corner-back Cillian Power and centre-back David O’Leary impeccable in defence and they saw out the win with the flurry of ten consecutive points. Having already beaten Douglas, this victory secures progression to the latter stages and sets them up nicely for their last group match against Glen Rovers.
Murphy followed his opening point with two more in jig-time while Eoin Dwyer had his eye in early as well. The first goal arrived when a point attempt from Theo Morgan – hardworking throughout in providing opportunities – had a point attempt was batted clear but only as far as the excellent Murray, who drilled a low shot home.
A second followed immediately as Murphy laid off to Danny Miskella, whose driving runs from midfield were a constant feature. While his shot was well-blocked by full-back Ronan Devoy, George Howard netted the rebound.
Aghada did have an instant response to the latter goal as Tomás Condon did well to engineer and finish a chance but it was brief respite for the home side. Ballincollig had another goal on 23 as Miskella’s low effort made it 3-11 to 1-5, though again Aghada replied in kind, with Jude Devoy and Tom Walsh combining for Seán Corkery to find the net.
By half-time, 12 points separated the teams and, though Condon had the opening score of the second half for the home side, Murray replied for Ballincollig.
And then Patrick McCarthy’s delivery was the catalyst for Murphy to display wonderful control and a finish to match.
Miskella had a lovely individual score as the points continued to come and they had a fifth goal on 41 – full-back Darragh Lee’s ball up the line was won by Morgan, who did brilliantly before finding Murphy, who fired home from a tight angle.
Sub Cian O’Connor marked his arrival with the sixth and last just after that, kicking the loose ball to the net after his initial effort was blocked. While James Hurley continued to convert Aghada frees, Ballincollig could not be contained in the closing stages, with Dwyer bringing his tally to 13 points – six from play – and wing-back Ethan Donovan also on target as they cruised to victory.
J Hurley 0-7 f, T Condon 1-2, S Corkery 1-0, I Oosthuizen 0-2.
E Dwyer 0-13 (0-6 f, 0-1 65), T Murphy 2-5, J Murray 1-3, D Miskella 1-1, C O’Connor, G Howard 1-0 each, P McCarthy, T Morgan 0-2 each, C Ahern, E O’Donovan, C Power 0-1 each.
J O’Donnell; E Crowley, R Devoy, A Murphy; R Dean, J Motherway, C O’Donoghue; J Hurley, D Wallace; J Devoy, H Mulcahy, I Oosthuizen; T Condon, S Corkery, T Walsh.
N O’Driscoll for Dean (half-time), C Walsh for Corkery (42), S Santos O’Sullivan for Oosthuizen (59).
O Power; C Power, D Lee, J Murphy; E Donovan, D O’Leary, K O’Leary; D Miskella, C Ahern; P McCarthy, E Dwyer, J Murray; T Morgan, G Howard, T Murphy.
C O’Connor for Ahern (43), C Summers for J Murphy, D Walshe for T Murphy (both 54), P Rose for Lee, S Delaney for Donovan (both 56).
N O’Neill (Midleton).
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