Ballincollig hurlers retain Mid Cork U21 title despite late Inniscarra fightback
A fourth Muskerry U21 Hurling title in a row at Ovens for Ballincollig after beating Inniscarra 1-21 to 2-12. Picture: Larry Cummins
Ballincollig are Farho Muskerry U21A hurling champions after outclassing neighbours Inniscarra at Ovens on Saturday.
An outstanding defensive performance was led by team captain James Dwyer, who was imperious throughout, while Conor Dalton scored 1-3 in a super opening half which set the tone for a convincing and dominant victory.
Inniscarra started brighter and landed the opening scores through David Enright and Darragh O’Brien. Ballincollig responded well with a brace from Conor Dalton after excellent link-up play from impressive midfielder Peter Kelly.
A superb long-range point from David O’Leary edged Ballincollig in front and three points with reply from Dalton, Tadhg O’Connell and Pete Kelly put daylight between the teams, 0-6 to 0-2 after 12 minutes.
Inniscarra replied with a long-range point from Michael Murphy which was cancelled out with a booming effort from James Dwyer, whose defensive colleagues Brian Dore, David O’Leary and Ronan Power were totally in charge.
Following a dominant second quarter, impressive centre-forward Dalton crashed to the net after superb link-up play from the lively Jack Murray.
Inniscarra were fighting an uphill battle at this stage and points from Daniel Murphy and Niall Buckley left them trailing by 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.
On resumption, Inniscarra landed an early free from Darragh O’Brien, but Ballincollig ended the game as a contest with five points without reply from Ciaran Buckley, Tadhg O’Connell, James Dwyer (free) and a super brace from the impressive Cian O’Connor.
It was one-way traffic at this stage as a couple of frees from Eoin Dwyer and a third point from O’Connor left 12 between the sides, 1-19 to 0-10 after 50 minutes.
Ballincollig sub Tadhg Murphy landed two frees to complete his side's scoring before a late surge from Inniscarra added respectability to the score line. James O’Mahony crashed to the net after the ball broke nicely and, moments later, Daniel Murphy added a second with a fine finish to the net.
But Ballincollig closed out any further opportunities and will represent the Muskerry Division, where they will play the winners of Midleton/Bride Rovers next weekend.
C Dalton 1-3, C O’Connor 0-3, E Dwyer 0-3 f, T O’Connell, P Kelly, J Dwyer (f), T Murphy (f) 0-2 each, D O’Leary, J Murray, C Buckley, T Morgan 0-1 each.
D O’Brien 0-4 f, D Murphy 1-1, J O’Mahony 1-0, N Buckley 0-2, S Murphy, C Dineen, D Enright, M Murphy 0-1 each.
D Hurley; R Power, B Dore, D Ward; K O’Leary, J Dwyer (c), D O’Leary; T Morgan, P Kelly; T O’Connell, C Dalton, C O’Connor; E Dwyer, C Buckley, J Murray.
B O’Sullivan for C Buckley (42), T Murphy for E Dwyer (50), D Lee for J Murray (50), C Power for P Kelly (55 inj), J Murphy for D O'Leary (59 inj).
B Gleeson; C O’Herlihy, D Keane, C O’Sullivan; S Murphy, T Lyons, C Dineen; D Enright, N Buckley; M Murphy, J Shine, C Lyons; D Murphy, D O’Brien, C Lynch.
A Heelan for J Shine (h-t), J O’Mahony for N Buckley (40), S Linehan for C Lyons (45).
Referee: L Knight (Kilmurry).
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