Ballincollig hurlers know they'll need to improve despite reaching final at third time of asking

Any time you reach a county final is always a good one and the manner of Ballincollig’s victory to see them into the Co-op Superstores PIHC decider made it all the better.

They led by five points at half-time and were turning to play against a very strong wind. Up 0-11 to 0-5, their lead didn't look like it would be enough. 

They were eight up 15 seconds into the second when Adam Wills burst through the Dungourney defence to score their first goal. Ballincollig didn't build on it though, and utilising the gale, Dungourney were back level 1-12 to 0-15, with 10 minutes left.

Further heartbreak awaited the Village, having lost the previous two semi-finals, but they grabbed two more goals in the latter stages through Cian Dorgan and Darragh O'Mahony. The gap at the end was that same five-point half-time margin, 3-13 to 0-17, after a thrilling game at Caherlag.

All involved were delighted to have reached the decider, but none more so than manager Eamonn Keating.

“We knew coming down here we were going to be made work for it, look the conditions probably militated against a good game. I think to be fair to both teams, they left it all out there and they gave it their all,” said Keating.

“We just got the goals and it's a big thing, like goals do win games. 

We were lucky we got the breaks and we're just absolutely delighted to be in the final.

“But we know we're going to have to improve for the next day if we have any ambitions or hopes of winning it. But just absolutely delighted with the lads, they have worked hard all year."

Ballincollig were missing key players like Stephen Willis, Colin Moore and Conor O'Leary, while James Dwyer and Cian Dorgan had to be held until the second half due to injury.

“We've had our own issues with injuries as do most teams at this time of the year but delighted with the collective effort and thrilled for the lads.”

Having played with the wind and leading by five at the break, Keating admitted they feared it could be an issue.

“We were a little bit concerned in the dressing room at half time to be honest. We thought we hadn’t enough of a lead because that wind was probably worth six or seven points.

“But look, we just asked the lads to be honest, to take the game to Dungourney and we got a break. Tadhg O’Connell made a huge run up the middle and his pass was outstanding and then the finish from Adam (Wills) was sublime. It really gave us belief that we could go on and win this game.

KILLER

“With the wind, they brought it back and the second goal was a killer blow really and we needed it as it gave us a bit of breathing space.

“It gave us a second wind and we were able to go again and see it out. We have some very good athletic players and we spoke about carrying the ball and we did that and thankfully it led to the third goal from Darragh to secure the win.

“This will be a massive boost to hurling in the club, we have been knocking on the door for the last two years and we said at half time we can’t go a third year not reaching the final and thankfully we are there now."