PIHC: Ballincollig impress in win over Castlemartyr but miss out on semi-final spot
Castlemartyr's Daragh Leahy battle with Ballincollig's Brian Keating, during their Premier IHC clash at Carrigtwohill. Picture: David Keane.
Ballincollig are through to the knockout stages of the PIHC after an outstanding victory over Castlemartyr at Carrigtwohill on Sunday.
They'll face Carrigaline in the quarter-final as Ballinhassig's comeback against Kilworth saw them snatch top spot in the group on the head-to-head rule and an automatic place in the semis. Castlemartyr must beat Mallow in the relegation playoff to avoid the drop.
This was a real team performance from the victors, with Cian O’Driscoll and Brian Keating grabbing the headlines up front with 3-5 between them.
Coach Ronan Curran has brought a tigerish attitude and this Ballincollig victory was very much built on some outstanding defending where Jordan Murray, David O’Sullivan and Barry Coleman stood out.
Before a huge crowd Castlemartyr almost goaled in the opening minute when Joe Stack slipped inside the cover, but his shot went agonisingly wide.
Ballincollig’s Theo Morgan opened the scoring with a fine effort from out on the wing.
Castlemartyr replied with a placed effort from ace free taker Mike Kelly. Ballincollig settled better and Cian O’Driscoll clipped over a good point after some good link up play.
Ballincollig’s talisman Brian Keating converted another excellent point after a superb solo run down the middle. Kelly replied with an equally impressive effort over the shoulder.
Ballincollig went in front courtesy of two well taken points from Stephen Wills after excellent link up play with his brother Adam.
But Castlemartyr responded well and landed three points without reply through Kelly (free), Ciarán Joyce and Billy McGann, 0-5 apiece after 15 minutes.
Aided by the breeze, Ballincollig dominated the second quarter and a terrific team move involving Steve Wills, Brian Dore, Cian Dorgan resulted in the lively Cian O’Driscoll smashing to the net.
Kelly replied for the Imokilly representatives but that was cancelled out by a lovely point from Tadgh O’Connell. Ballincollig completely dominated the closing stages of the opening half with a magnificent brace from Barry Coleman and points from Cian Dorgan and their hugely impressive centre back David O’Sullivan, 1-11 to 0-6 at the break.
On resumption, the impressive Dorgan landed a classy score from out on the wing. But Castlemartyr responded well with a pair of frees from Mike Kelly and a well-taken point from Cork star Ciarán Joyce.
To be fair, the Ballincollig defence dealt with the early onslaught with Brian Dore winning plenty of ball down his channel.
Brian Keating enjoyed a superb second half and he landed an excellent score to leave six between the sides, 1-14 to 0-11 after 41 minutes. The game was effectively ended as a contest when Keating smashed a penalty low and hard to the net after O’Driscoll had been fouled.
As the game began to slip away, Castlemartyr were reduced to fourteen men after Cathal Martin was given his marching orders after an off-the-ball incident. With scoring difference so important in this group, Castlemartyr’s Kelly kept the scoreboard ticking over with a placed effort.
Mark Oldham made an impressive cameo, and he landed a beauty after showing a clean pair of heels out on the wing.
The Muskerry side got a third goal which was another excellent team move involving David O’Leary, David O’Sullivan, Brian Keating and was finished off by Cian O’Driscoll, who enjoyed a terrific afternoon.
To their credit, Castlemartyr finished out the game strongly and Joe Stack landed a couple of late consolation scores.
But Ballincollig were not going to become unstuck and points from Brian Keating, Mark Oldham and midfielder Theo Morgan finished off a hugely impressive victory.
Following a disastrous start to this campaign after a very heavy defeat to Ballinhassig, this has been a remarkable turnaround for Ballincollig, who have been defeated by Kilworth and Carrigaline at the semi-final in recent seasons.
C O’Driscoll 2-1, B Keating 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), C Dogan, B Coleman, A Wills 0-3 each, T Morgan, S Wills, M Oldham 0-2 each, T O’Connell, D O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
M Kelly 0-8 (0-3 f), Billy McGann 0-3, J Stack, C Joyce, D Joyce (f) 0-2 each, L Martin 0-1.
J Linehan; F Denny, J Murray, B Dore; D O’Leary, D O’Sullivan, B Coleman; T O’Connell; T Morgan; B Keating, S Wills, C Dorgan; A Wills, C O’Driscoll, P Morris.
S O’Neill for P Morris (ht), M Oldham for S Wills (inj 45), C Dalton for B Coleman (55), P Kelly for C Dorgan (55).
D Bowens; C Martin, J Lawton, D Leahy; D Joyce, C Joyce, B Ó Tuama; C Whyte, B Lawton; M Kelly, B McGann, J McGann; M Ó Dwyer, J Stack, L Martin.
C Sice for L Martin (35)
D Daly (D Daly (Brian Dillons).
App?
