Premier 1 MFC: Carrigaline storm home to deny Ballincollig three-in-a-row

Carrigaline: 2-15 (2-2-11) 

Ballincollig: 1-13 (1-1-11) 

A storming finish from Carrigaline saw them win an entertaining Cork ETB Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC final against Ballincollig at Páirc Uí Rinn on Monday night.

It had looked like Ballincollig would claim an historic three‑in‑a‑row, but Seán Collins’ side hit 1-4 without reply to seal the title in the best way possible.

They showed great character too. Trailing by five points at the start of the second half, the likes of Ben Corkery-Delaney, Luke Jordan and Cillian Murphy came up with big scores.

Ballincollig netminder Dylan McCarthy made a few very good saves as Carrigaline probably shaded the contest overall.

Charlie Hanratty’s goal in the dying embers proved crucial as they saw out the game impressively.

Carrigaline burst out of the traps with points from Cillian Murphy and Ben Corkery-Delaney, with the latter’s effort arguably goal-bound.

Ballincollig settled, and a neat O’Mahony point after four minutes was just the tonic. The same player then landed a two‑point free to nudge his side ahead.

The Village were now dominating after a slow start. O’Mahony again pointed and then landed a 45. They also had two great goal chances: Charlie O’Regan came up from defence to rattle the post, and Bobby Power saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Danny McSorley.

Luke Jordan got a badly needed point for Carrigaline — their first score in some 16 minutes.

Ballincollig hit the next four points to lead 0-9 to 0-3 after 21 minutes, with Conor Cogan’s physical presence and Joe Miskella’s quality helping the Muskerry side win primary possession.

A Ben Corkery-Delaney 45, another Cillian Murphy white flag, and a Charlie Hanratty effort bisecting the posts ate into the deficit for Carrigaline, who trailed by three going into added time.

Ballincollig did get the last score of the half, Alan Jozefoswki pointing to leave it 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.

A Corkery-Delaney orange flag from long range was the perfect start to the second half for Carrigaline. But against the run of play, Ballincollig goaled — Bobby Power played a huge role as O’Mahony palmed the ball into the net, making it 1-10 to 0-8 after 34 minutes.

Ballincollig goalkeeper Dylan McCarthy was having a fine game, both from kickouts and when called into action, keeping Carrigaline at bay for now.

But a Cillian Murphy two‑pointer left just a goal in it, and Carrigaline got their goal 19 minutes from time when Jordan finished to the net from close range.

Miskella came into his zone, landing a pair of points — one from a free — to give Ballincollig a two‑point cushion.

A Jordan free cut the gap to one, 1-12 to 1-11 after 50 minutes.

The sides traded points before a Corkery-Delaney free drew parity.

Charlie Hanratty then popped up with a huge score, palming the ball to the net after being set up by Jordan a minute into added time.

Jordan then pointed to extend the lead to four.

Corkery-Delaney had the final say with a close‑range free.

A sweet success for Carrigaline.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B Corkery-Delaney 0-7 (0-2 f, 1 2pt, 0-3 45), L Jordan 1-3 (0-1 f), Cillian Murphy 0-4 (1 2pt), C Hanratty 1-1.

Ballincollig: L O’Mahony 1-6 (1 2pt f, 0-1 45), J Miskella 0-3 (0-1 f), S O’Brien, A Jozefoswki, F Lordan, B Power 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE: D McSorley; C Moloney, G O’Brien, J Bryan; D Ó Beoláin, M Kiernan, O Lynch; S Collins, C Hanratty; E Ahern, B Corkery-Delaney (c), Conor Murphy; L Jordan, D Scannell-Murphy, Cillian Murphy.

Subs: D Carroll for J Bryan (h‑t), F Lehane for Conor Murphy (36), H Sisk for O Lynch (58).

BALLINCOLLIG: D McCarthy; D Crowley, J Ryan, C O’Regan; E Stack, J Costello, É Lynch; B Cronin, C Cogan; S O’Brien, J Miskella, A Jozefowski; F Lordan, L O’Mahony (c), B Power.

Subs: J Harrington for C O’Regan, L O’Brien for J Costello (both 59).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers).