Glory for Ballinhassig as they return to senior ranks with impressive win over Ballincollig

Ballinhassig: 2-22 

Ballincollig: 1-19 

Ballinhassig have returned to the senior ranks for the first time in 12 years after a deserved win over Ballincollig in a gripping Co-Op SuperStores PIHC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon.

The full-time whistle brought unbridled joy from the Blues as they claimed county glory. They last won this title back in 2012.

The John O’Sullivan-coached team held their nerve here in front of a large and passionate support to win by six points, the same margin of victory over Ballincollig as the opening round game back in August.

The Blues had a more balanced team and more importantly, a more spread of scorers. They dominated the last quarter to come through here helped in a big way by their marksman and captain Ger Collins. He finished up with 1-11.

Ballinhassig only led by a point after 45 minutes, but outscored their opposition 2-5 to 1-3 in the fourth quarter.

Ballincollig showed no signs of nerves early on given the youthful nature of their team. A Stephen Wills free, who was just back from injury, and efforts from Theo Morgan and Brian Keating settled the Muskerry side.

A pair of Ger Collins frees did help Ballinhassig to a certain degree, but they were being outworked in the opening stages.

Seán O’Neill and Stephen Wills efforts pushed their team three points clear, helped by a slight wind advantage after nine lively minutes, 0-5 to 0-2.

Fintan O’Leary and a boomer from Darragh O’Sullivan did briefly reduce the Ballinhassig deficit down to a single point.

The sides swapped white flags before Michael Collins drew the Blues level underlining their collective improvement after a shaky start.

A long-range free from goalkeeper Patrick Collins nudged Ballinhassig in front for the first time, 0-7 to 0-6 after 18 minutes.

The Carrigdhoun men were now in the ascendency with Darragh O’Sullivan and Charlie Grainger hurling a world of ball around the middle.

A pair of Ger Collins placed balls gave Ballinhassig a three-point buffer. Their defence was holding the line too, with full-back Kevin Maguire leading by example.

A first Collig score in 11 minutes was timely when that man Stephen Wills bisected the posts, 0-9 to 0-7 with five minutes to the break.

The teams traded white flags before Ballinhassig created the first big goal opportunity of the contest, but Matthew Collins’ attempt was stopped by Ballincollig goalkeeper James Linehan.

The lucky escape did prove to be a boost for Ballincollig. Points from Keating and Stephen Wills drew their team level, but a Ger Collins free gave the Blues an 0-11 to 0-10 half-time advantage.

Ger Collins continued to be deadly accurate from placed balls for Ballinhassig. He pointed a minute into the new half followed by a 65.

The teams traded the next four points with sub Evan Cullinane hitting over Ballinhassig’s scores, 0-15 to 0-12 after 36 minutes.

Shane McCarthy did extend the Blues lead before four unanswered points from the Village drew them level.

Keating with a pair of efforts and a pair of Stephen Wills frees, 0-16 each with 17 minutes remaining.

Another Ballinhassig sub Seán Lombard pointed before they were awarded a penalty after 46 minutes. Michael Collins was fouled by Collig’s netminder Linehan before Ger Collins stepped up and made no mistake, 1-17 to 0-16.

The sides exchanged white flags, but Ballinhassig were now in control all over the pitch.

Two Ger Collins points, one from a 65, and a Conor Desmond effort pushed the Carrigdhoun men 1-21 to 0-17 clear after 54 minutes.

They put the game to bed five minutes from time when Seán Lombard set up Desmond for a cracking goal. Cullinane put the icing on the cake with a sweet point.

Ballincollig did tack on 1-2, all from Stephen Wills, all coming from frees too, 2-22 to 1-19. 

They were only consolation scores. 

The Blues will savour this sweet triumph. All the blood, sweat and tears have now been worth it.

Scores for Ballinhassig: G Collins 1-11 (0-7 f, 0-2 65, 1-0 pen), C Desmond 1-2, E Cullinane 0-3, P Collins (f), D O’Sullivan, M Collins, S McCarthy, S Lombard, F O’Leary 0-1 each.

Ballincollig: S Wills 1-10 (1-7 f), B Keating 0-5, S O’Neill 0-3, T Morgan 0-1.

BALLINHASSIG: P Collins; C Kirby, K Maguire, P O’Leary; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; C Grainger, E Lombard; J Grainger, S McCarthy, S O’Neill; M Collins, F O’Leary, G Collins (c).

Subs: J Lyne for C Kirby (14, inj), E Cullinane for J Grainger, D O’Donovan for J O’Callaghan (both h-t), S Lombard for F O’Leary (38), A O’Sullivan for S O’Neill (44).

BALLINCOLLIG: J Linehan; B Dore, F Denny, J Murray; B Coleman, D O’Sullivan, D O’Leary; T Morgan, T O’Connell; D O’Mahony, C O’Driscoll, S O’Neill; S Wills, B Keating, A Wills.

Subs: J Dwyer for B Coleman (38), M Oldham for T Morgan (42), C Dorgan (c) for A Wills (49), C Dalton for J Dwyer (56, inj), P Morris for T O’Connell (61). 

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).