U21 Football: Ed Ó Mír inspires Naomh Abán as Ballincollig dethroned

Naomh Abán: 0-21 (0-5-11) 

Ballincollig: 5-4 (5-0-4) 

Marvelous Naomh Abán, inspired by the majestic Ed Ó Mír, defeated reigning champions Ballincollig in the Macroom Motors Muskerry U21 A football championship semi-final at Kilmurry on Friday evening.

Despite the Village — backboned by the victorious Premier 1 minor-winning teams of the last two years — scoring five goals, they were outdone by Cork footballer Ó Mír, who finished with 0-13, including five orange flags.

It was far from a one-man show. Despite being underdogs coming in, the Ballyvourney-based outfit were hungrier, more determined and more clinical than their opposition.

Naomh Abán led by nine points at one juncture against an off-colour Ballincollig side, but even when the margin was down to the bare minimum, the team in blue and white had the composure to win by two points.

Ballincollig, despite having very close to a full team, were just not themselves for a number of reasons, but huge credit must go to Naomh Abán, who were tigerish all over the pitch.

The Village did lead by one point at the short whistle, but they were fortunate to be ahead, with two green flags helping them.

Naomh Abán will face Éire Óg in the decider in due course after the Ovens-based club defeated Donoughmore in the other last-four clash.

Naomh Abán are back in the final for the second time in three seasons having lost to Ballinora in 2024.

It was most certainly a slow burner — understandable given it was the first competitive game of the year for both.

Ballincollig started with a Cian Ahern free but struggled to impose themselves.

Eoghan Ó Luasa denied Danny Miskella a goal with a tidy save before Naomh Abán, led by Ó Mír, kicked three scores on the trot, including a two-point free from Ó Mír, as they deservedly led.

Two goals in a minute from the Village looked certain to catapult them into action. Darragh O’Shea and Joe Miskella raised the green flags as Ballincollig led 2-1 to 0-4 after 20 minutes.

Two quick-fire points from Naomh Abán through Aaron Ó Laighin and Fionnán Ó Briaín left a point in it before the sides traded white flags, Ballincollig leading 2-2 to 0-7 at half-time.

Naomh Abán set the tone in the new half with six scores on the bounce, including three orange flags from Ó Mír — one from a free — to move 0-16 to 2-2 ahead after 40 minutes.

A Danny Miskella free should have been a settler for the Village, but another Ó Mír two-pointer opened up a nine-point cushion.

Ballincollig sub Éanna Lynch made a positive impression when introduced and he goaled with 14 minutes to go to breathe life into his side’s challenge.

Adrian Ó Cathasaigh pointed for Naomh Abán before two Ballincollig goals in 50 seconds, both from Danny Miskella — one from the penalty spot — gave the Collig a huge shot in the arm, leaving a point in it after 52 minutes, 0-19 to 5-3.

Naomh Abán weren’t going to be denied, landing two of the last three points.

Ballincollig had the chance to force extra time at the death, but Brian Cronin’s two-point effort dropped short.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: E Ó Mír 0-13 (3 2pt, 2 2pt f, 0-3 f), S Ó Donnchu, F Ó Briaín, A Ó Laighín 0-2 each, B Ó Ceallacháin, A Ó Cathasaigh 0-1 each.

Ballincollig: D Miskella 2-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), D O’Shea 1-1, J Miskella, E Lynch 1-0 each, C Ahern 0-2 (0-1 f).

NAOMH ABÁN: E Ó Luasa; D Mac Suibhne, T Ó Ceallaigh, S Ó Droma; L Ó Liatháin, S Ó Horgáin-Loingsigh, P Ó Ceallaigh; S Tinsley, S Ó Donnchu; F Ó Briaín, E Ó Mír, A Ó Laighín; B Ó Ceallacháin, E Ó Laighín, A Ó Cathasaigh.

Subs: D Ó Luanaigh for S Ó Horgáin-Loingsigh (6–8, temp).

BALLINCOLLIG: M Murray; C Power, P Rose, B Dore; C Buckley, D O’Leary, B Cronin; C Dalton, K O’Leary; S O’Neill, C Ahern, S Rue O’Sullivan; P Kelly, D Miskella, D O’Shea.

Subs: J Miskella for S O’Neill (3, inj), J Murray for P Kelly (6–FT, temp), E Lynch for C Ahern (38), A Rose for S Rue O’Sullivan (57), D Crowley for C Power (61, inj).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).