Rebel Óg minor football final previews: Ballincollig face Mallow as Castlehaven take on Donoughmore
Michael O'Mahony, chairperson of Rebel Óg with Ballincollig joint captains Ben O'Connell and David O'Leary and Mallow captain Padraig Britton, at the launch of the Premier 1 MFC final. Picture: Steven Lynch
It’s probably not the pairing many would have predicted at the start of the championship but huge credit to Ballincollig and Mallow for reaching the Premier 1 MFC final tonight at Páirc Ui Rinn, throw-in 8pm.
Before that Castlehaven will take on Donoughmore in the Premier 2 decider at 6.30pm, with both games expected to be close affairs.
From their first game up to the semi-final, Ballincollig have shown determination and drive, mixed with plenty of skill to qualify for the final.
Their first group game was away to Douglas, the defending champions, and at half-time the Village looked to be in trouble. They were behind by 0-9 to 0-2 but a simply superb second half saw the game end all square and Ballincollig were a little unlucky not to emerge as winners.
They followed that up with a clash with Bishopstown, a team many fancied for overall honours. Again Ballincollig showed their class to come out on top. Their final group game was against Éire Óg which they lost by a point, but one the young players learned a lot from.
This set up a quarter-final rematch with Douglas and goals from Shane Rue O’Sullivan and Charlie Murphy helped them to a 2-9 to 1-7 win.
All those games pale into insignificance compared to their semi-final clash with St Finbarr’s. What ensured was a night of pure football and entertainment as it went all the way to penalties. On a number of occasions, the Village were behind but they never threw in the towel against a quality Barrs side.
The name Ethan Donovan may not be one normally associated with white flags but the corner-back drove forward with vital scores, first to get the point to take it to extra-time and then to score late on in extra-time to take it to penalties.
By the time we got to the shootout, it was close to 10.30pm as Ballincollig emerged winners on a night that will be hard to top for football drama.
Tonight they will look to the likes of Danny Miskella, Theo Morgan, Ben O’Connell, if he's passed fit, and David O’Leary, to try and win the title for the second time – their only other win was in 2011.
Wins over Nemo Rangers and Valley Rovers meant they went into their final group game already in the semi-final.
They lost to the Barrs but it mattered little as they prepared to take on the Town in the semi. Bishopstown had won the league already and would have been considered slight favourites but Mallow had different ideas.
Again goals were crucial here with Cathal Mullins and Trevor Kiely finding the back of the net to see them win by 2-11 to 0-16. Others they will look to tonight include Eoghan Murphy, Gearoid Daly, Padraig Britton and Andy Hourigan as they bid to win the title for the first time.
For those who can't make it in, the game will be streamed on Rebels Online.
The Premier 2 decider sees Castlehaven take on Donoughmore. They met in the group stages, which the Haven won, but they know that won’t count for much.
The Haven will look to Mark Crowley, Ryan McCarthy, Eoin Maguire, Cillian French and James Maguire.
On the opposite side Donoughmore will look to Redmond Reardon, Rory Honohan, Jack McCarthy and DJ Foley, among others, to emerge as winners.
Ballincollig v Mallow, Páirc Uí Rinn, 8pm.
Castlehaven v Donoughmore, Páirc Uí Rinn, 6.30pm.
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