Ballincollig's Danny Miskella keeping his feet firmly on the ground

It has been a whirlwind year so far for young Ballincollig star Danny Miskella.

The forward made his breakthrough with the Cork U20 footballers in his first season while he has also been a key part of the Ballincollig’s U21 and minor football teams.

Danny is the son of John Miskella, a 2010 All-Ireland winner with Cork. 

The Leaving Cert student in Coláiste Choilm is the latest EPH Controls Muskerry GAA award winner on the back of his sublime performance in the Macroom Motors Muskerry U21 A football championship final last month.

The team in green and white defeated neighbours Éire Óg on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-15 after extra time helped by Miskella’s 1-5. He was brought off the bench after 25 minutes.

The sharpshooter will be a crucial figure in tonight's Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC semi-final against Éire Óg at the Mardyke (8pm).

“We knew after the Kinsale game that we were a better team than that,” Miskella says after the draw with Kinsale in the first championship group game.

“Kinsale are a savage outfit and they put up a great battle but we knew we had more to give. I think even the first half against Nemo second day out, we still were off the pace a bit. I think things just clicked against Douglas which qualified us for the semi-finals. We know we have a good bunch of lads.

“We’ve had great battles down the years with Éire Óg. It’s always a battle against them. It’s never one team winning by a lot. It’s always a tight game."

Ballincollig are the holders. Their only loss last season in the championship came against Éire Óg in the group stage. As reigning champions, the Village have been focused from the start.

“We went into this year with our heads straight, looking forward,” Miskella states.

“Every game as it comes, there’s no cockiness whatsoever. There hasn’t been at any point. There’s a lot of competition for places. It’s a big panel, as you know.” 

Ballincollig have an U21 A football county quarter-final to look forward to against Douglas next month. A big helping hand in making that happen was Miskella’s impact off the bench in the Mid-Cork final to pretty much turn the game.

“It was a huge relief to win it. We were under a lot of pressure but it was a huge relief. We knew we could bring it back having been down six points I think early on. Once we got the shooting boots on, I suppose, that’s when things clicked.

“Winning the Mid-Cork gave a great lift to the whole club. I’ve said it so many times but there’s some battle for places on that U21 team. A lot of lads are playing senior.

“It’s very hard to get on that team. It’s an honour to play with them. Douglas will be a serious challenge in the county section. We will focus on that when it comes around.” 

Miskella was one of Cork’s best players in the Munster U20 football championship. It was a challenge though earlier this year. Their only win was away to Clare as the campaign came to an end after a heavy Munster final loss to Kerry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“In fairness, we thought we were playing well and we’re kind of disappointed how we performed in the Munster final against Kerry. I think everyone saw that there was more in us,” he says.

“We had more to give and that’s kind of disappointing. I enjoyed a great season with the lads and a great season with the management. I only have good words to say about them.

“A few of us were called in from last year’s minor squad. Playing at the U20 level brought me on big time as a player this year.

“It’s a battle for a place for every single game. I don’t think there was one game where the team was kept the same.” 

Miskella was modest when talking about collecting the latest EPH Controls Muskerry GAA award.

“It’s all down to the coaches and it’s all down to the players. I’m kind of lucky to be accepting this award.

“It’s a matter of putting the head down and doing my job."