Brilliant Ballinora hold off Ballincollig in cracking Mid Cork hurling final replay
Ballinora, the Muskerry JAHC champions for 2024. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Ballinora were crowned MJK Oils Junior A Hurling champions again after edging out Ballincollig in a hard-fought Mid Cork final replay at Ovens.
The victors were more clinical from play and Man of the Match Danny Dineen landed some superb scores while their full-back line stood firm throughout. Ballincollig fought to the bitter end and worked their socks off but will regret a number of wides from placed efforts.
But in the end, Ballinora were the better team in this local derby and will take on the West Cork winners Diarmuid Ó Mathúna next weekend.
Ballincollig’s Sean Walsh landed the opening score of this game with an excellent effort from out on the wing. Ballinora’s talisman Shane Kingston made a brilliant run through the middle but his shot for goal was comfortably saved by Ronan Cambridge.
Dineen opened Ballinora’s account and Shane Kingston doubled it moments later. Ballincollig’s Shane Sullivan landed a monster score from distance to equalise. The exchanges were very even before Danny Dineen put Ballinora in front again. Bowen equalised with a free, 0-3 each after 15 minutes.
Ballinora’s Ben Mayer landed a beauty from a tight angle which was cancelled out by another Bowen free. Ballincollig went in front with an excellent goal from Sean Walsh after great teamwork from Peter O’Neill and Evan Cooke.
Instantly Ballinora replied through James Keohane before Ballinora found the net with a brilliant finish from Ben Mayer. Kingston finished off the half strongly with a brace to ensure his side led 1-7 to 1-5.
On resumption, Ballinora really took control and points from Mayer and James Byrne stretched their lead to four points which proved significant. Ballincollig replied with an excellent effort from Shane O’Sullivan and David O’Leary followed with another. But Ballinora dominated this quarter and added points through Danny Dineen, James Byrne, Shane Kingston, and long-time servant Alan O’Shea.
Ballincollig were still enjoying decent possession and subs Theo Morgan clipped over a well-taken score, 1-13 to 1-9 after 45 minutes.
A Kingston free was replied to by Walsh but Dineen was on fire and his fourth lifted his side for a final push.
Ballincollig were throwing the kitchen sink at the Ballinora defence, but Neil Lordan was marshalling his troops brilliantly. Two Bowen frees in the closing minutes which reduced the gap to a single score.
But Ballincollig’s efforts for a goal were snuffed out in the final exchanges as Ballinora took the bragging rights over their neighbours and great rivals.
S Kingston 0-6 (0-3 f) B Mayer 1-2 (0-1 f), D Dineen 0-4, J Byrne 0-2, J Keohane, A O’Shea 0-1 each.
S Walsh 1-2, D Bowen 0-5 f, S Sullivan, T Morgan 0-2 each, D O’Leary, JP Murphy 0-1 each.
R Cambridge; R Power, J Murray, S Murphy; S O’Sullivan, L Jennings, P O’Neill; JP Murphy, D O’Leary; S Walsh, B O’Brien, E Dwyer; S Murphy, D Bowen, E Cooke.
C Kinsella for S Murphy, T Morgan for E Dwyer (45), D Horgan for E Cooke (50), D Ward for S O’Sullivan (55).
B Crowley; T Forde, M Lordan, P Fitton; J Byrne, N Lordan, M Quirke; T Burns, S Kingston; D Corkery, J Keohane, C Quirke; B Mayer, K Murphy A O’Shea.
B Carberry for J Keohane (49), C Quirke for T Burns (61).
D Kirwan (Éire Óg).
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