Ballincollig return to senior camogie ranks after beating Ballygarvan in replay
Ballincollig celebrate their win over Ballygarvan at MTU Stadium. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
It was the mother of all battles, but Ballincollig, helped by half-time sub Leah Hannigan, who chipped in with five points, saw off a gallant Ballygarvan side in a pulsating SE Systems Premier Intermediate Camogie final replay at MTU.
In a game where both sides gave everything for the jersey, the experience of Ballincollig, led by the outstanding Linda Dorgan, eventually broke Ballygarvan hearts.
Dorgan, the longest-serving player with the Village, hit 0-6. She was close to being named Player of the Match but the impact of 16-year-old Hannigan in 30 minutes pipped the stalwart.
Both teams gave their all from throw-in but with sweepers, space in front of goal was restricted. After a cracking opening three minutes that saw Ballincollig edge into a one-point lead, the scoring dried up and a superb Rachael O’Regan white flag tied the game at 0-2 each to end a nine-minute Ballygarvan drought.
The Village were also struggling on the scoring front with Dorgan ending their 15-minute scoreless period with a point from a placed ball. In a half where both teams left everything on the pitch, it was no surprise, they went in at the break level, 0-5 apiece.
Hannigan, Cork U16 captain this season, only took a minute to register her opening point and she followed up with a second two minutes later.
Ballygarvan kept the scoreboard ticking for Ballygarvan though, before Tara Goulding showed her class on the right with a stunning point midway through the second half to tie it up again.
The game swung in the 48th minute after Ballygarvan’s Molly Kelleher got through on goal but her shot was parried to safety by the Ballincollig keeper Ana Hartnett.
In the closing 10 minutes, Ballincollig took over as they had more legs and when their super sub Hannigan produced two consecutive points in the 50th and 55th minute, it edged them ahead by the minimum.
Brave Ballygarvan, without their Cork star Izzy O'Regan through injury, couldn't secure possession when the game was on the line as Ballincollig won all the majority of dirty ball. Centre-back Leah Weste anchored the team with authority.
Three consecutive points from Dorgan (2) and Hannigan sealed the deal for Ballincollig as they were crowned champions on a night when both teams should be commended for the effort put in from start to finish. It was breathtaking!
L Dorgan 0-6 (0-1 f), L Hannigan 0-5 (0-1 f), T Goulding 0-2, S McCarthy 0-1.
C Kelly 0-4 (0-3 f, 0-1 45), R O’Regan 0-3, M Kelleher, M Buckley, C O’Leary 0-1each.
A Hartnett; A Cotter, M Healy, C O’Sullivan; O Keating, L Weste, E Hickey; A Scanlon, S Healy; K Goulding, I Fleury, O O’Leary; S McCarthy, L Dorgan, T Goulding.
L Hannigan for O O’Leary, B Cunifffe for S Healy (both h-t).
S Ahern; L Casey, K Dorney, A Bowen; S Finn, E O’Regan, E Casey; C O’Leary, L Casey; R O’Regan, C Kelly, E Kelleher; M Buckley, M Kelleher, H Sweeney.
N Crowley for H Sweeney (47), E O’Halloran for E Kelleher (53), S Lyons for S Finn (55), S A O’Halloran for E Casey (54).
Cathal McAllister (Aghada).
App?
