Ballincollig break St Finbarr's hearts with late penalty to grab U15 P1 Football League 

Ballincollig 2-8 St Finbarr’s 0-12 

A dramatic finish saw Ballincollig win the U15 Premier 1 football league title at the Mardyke on Wednesday night.

Trailing by a point it looked like the Village were going to lose out, but they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Padraig Skehan, which Cillian McDonnell cooly slotted home to win the final for Ballincollig and break St Finbarr's hearts.

There was nothing between the two sides all through with midfielder Edmund Burke putting the Barrs in front deep into injury-time after a surging run for what looked like the winning score.

But with one last attack, Ballincollig got the goal to take the title, after a highly entertaining game.

Just two minutes in Ballincollig took the lead through livewire Bobby Power, with the impressive David Clarke O’Mahony getting the Barrs off the mark three minutes later.

Liam O’Regan put the Barrs in front after nine minutes, before Ballincollig were unlucky not to get a goal. Jack Costello and Daithí Murphy combined to set up Cillian McDonnell but his effort was well saved by Kyle Dee.

McDonnell pointed from play after 18 minutes and he got a second from a free for Ballincollig, to make it 0-3 to 0-2 Clarke O’Mahony had the sides level from a free before Callum Harrington put the Barrs back in front.

Another goal chance for Ballincollig was denied, this time by the upright, from a Power effort, with the danger cleared.

Just before half-time, Clarke O’Mahony was on target again to see the Barrs lead by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.

Ben O'Farrell, on at half-time, gave the Village the perfect start to the second half when he found the back of the net. Power added a point, with McCabe replying at the other end, and with 43 minutes gone it was 1-4 to 0-7.

Ballincolling then went three ahead, thanks to Éanna Hurney, Bobby Power and McDonnell, but were left to rue some missed goal chances with a Power shot whizzing just wide and Daithí Murphy denied by Dee after being sent clear by McDonnell.

However, at the other end, it took a superb save from Dylan McCarthy to prevent a Callum Harrington goal, as Burke drove the Barrs back into the game in the last quarter. 

Clarke O’Mahony split the posts and points from Chris Scully and McCabe helped get the Barrs back on level terms, while they also hit the crossbar twice.

Deep into injury-time Burke kicked what looked like it would be the winner for the Barrs before we had the dramatic finish that saw Ballincollig crowned champions.

Scorers for Ballincollig: C McDonnell 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3 f), B O'Farrell 1-0, B Power 0-3, E Hurney 0-1.

St Finbarr’s: C Clarke O’Mahony 0-5 (0-2 f), K McCabe 0-3, L O’Regan, C Harrington, C Scully, E Burke 0-1 each.

BALLINCOLLIG: D McCarthy; S Richmond, L Higgins, P Skehan; J Harrington, E Lynch, D Murphy; R Boland, E Hurney; C McDonnell, B Power, M Downey (c); C McCarthy, J Costello, C Barr.

Subs: B O'Farrell for C Barr (h-t), R Doyle for D Murphy (60 inj).

St FINBARR’S: K Dee; A Martin, C Garvey, CJ Barrett; S Fleming Byrne, A Crowley, H McTernan; E Burke, L O’Regan; K McCabe, R Dunne, L O’Donovan; C Harrington, D Clarke O’Mahony, F Power.

Subs: C Scully for L O’Donovan (h-t), C O’Donovan for F Power (59).

Referee: PJ Dennehy (Glanmire).