Historic triumph as Ballincollig hurlers secure return to senior ranks

Ballincollig 1-19 

Dungourney 0-16 

Ballincollig ended their long wait for Co-Op Superstores PIHC glory with a deserved county final victory over Dungourney at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, capping an outstanding campaign in which they went unbeaten from start to finish. 

Twelve months on from the heartbreak of final defeat, they returned stronger, showing composure, resilience and quality to finally get their hands on the silverware.

This game turned on the introduction of Cork senior panellist Brian Keating, who made a probing run through the centre before finding Adam Wills, who dispatched to the net.

Overall, this was a superb team display and team captain James Dwyer marshalled Dungourney dangerman Cillian O’Callaghan superbly, while Cian O’Driscoll and Stephen Wills contributed handsomely from play.

They say you have to lose one to win one and, following the hurt of last year's final defeat, this Ballincollig team have shown determination, courage and resilience to go unbeaten throughout the championship. 

With a very young side stepping up, they look well equipped to hold their own in the Senior A ranks next season.

In an emotional victory speech, captain James Dwyer dedicated the triumph to Killian Lee, who sadly passed away before last year's final and whose family are steeped in the Ballincollig club.

Dungourney registered the opening score of the final when star full-forward Cillian O’Callaghan fielded a long delivery and pointed. Ballincollig replied when chief marksman Stephen Wills landed a beauty from distance. Jack Leahy edged Dungourney in front with a placed effort before adding a second from play.

Dungourney were on top early on and Kelvin Coady Byrne landed an excellent score from out on the wing. Ballincollig looked nervy in the opening stages, but Cian O’Driscoll landed a lovely point from distance while Theo Morgan added another after bursting through the middle to clip over.

Dungourney responded immediately with a superb fetch and score from John Ahern. After settling down, the teams looked evenly matched and Ballincollig corner-back Fenton Denny landed a superb long-range effort from the riverside. Moments later, the sides were level after Stephen Wills clipped over.

Dungourney regained the lead when talisman Jack Leahy clipped over from play before converting a placed effort from an acute angle, leaving it 0-7 to 0-5 after 17 minutes.

Ballincollig responded with an excellent point from Adam Wills from a seemingly impossible angle. The vastly experienced Shane Hegarty, who has done it all with club and division, then flicked over the bar.

It was point for point at this stage and Ballincollig's James Dwyer launched an attack from deep which found Adam Wills, who in turn picked out his brother Stephen to clip over. Ross O’Donovan, who has been in superb form all year, landed a monster score from all of 70 metres out.

A pair of Jack Leahy frees kept Dungourney ahead before Theo Morgan reduced the gap to the minimum, 0-10 to 0-9 at the break.

On the resumption, Ballincollig were back on level terms after a placed effort from Stephen Wills before Harry Aherne put them in front for the first time with a fine score. Dungourney equalised through Kelvin Coady Byrne, who produced an excellent display.

Another excellent effort from Stephen Wills was cancelled out by a fine point from Shane Hegarty. With the sides level, the introduction of Brian Keating flipped the game on its head.

The Ballincollig crowd responded and Cian O’Driscoll edged them back in front. Another excellent point from the outstanding Stephen Wills followed before the crucial goal arrived courtesy of Adam Wills following a darting run from Keating.

Ballincollig completely took over at this stage, with O’Driscoll adding another. Further points followed from Darragh O’Mahony, Theo Morgan and Keating.

Dungourney desperately required a goal but the Ballincollig defence held firm, with James Dwyer outstanding, while brothers Kevin and David O’Leary showed their class throughout.

As the game petered out, Dungourney scored points through Leahy, John Ahern and Cormac Griffin. However, this was Ballincollig's day and substitute Peter Kelly got their final score before the final whistle was followed by emotional scenes.

Scorers for Ballincollig: S Wills 0-6 (0-1 f), A Wills 1-1, C O’Driscoll, T Morgan 0-3 each, R O’Donovan, F Denny, D O’Mahony, B Keating, P Kelly and H Ahearne 0-1 each.

Dungourney: J Leahy 0-7 (0-3 f, 0-1 65), K Coady Byrne 0-3, S Hegarty and John Ahern 0-2 each, C Griffin and C O’Callaghan 0-1 each.

BALLINCOLLIG: J Linehan; R O’Donovan, J Dwyer (c), F Denny; K O’Leary, D O’Sullivan, D O’Leary; H Ahearne, T Morgan; C O’Driscoll, S Wills, D O’Mahony; A Wills, T O’Connell, D Miskella.

Subs: B Coleman for D O’Sullivan (18, inj), B Keating for T O’Connell (40), P Kelly for D O’Mahony (58), C Dalton for H Ahearne (60), C Sexton for T Morgan (63).

DUNGOURNEY: P Flynn; C Morgan, R Harney, D Healy; M Leahy, J Griffin, M McGrath (c); S Hegarty, J McCarthy; K Coady Byrne, John Ahern, N McGrath; N Motherway, C O’Callaghan, J Leahy.

Subs: F Daly for N McGrath (50), C Ryan for R Harney (53, inj), C Griffin for K Coady Byrne (58), James Ahern for M McGrath (63).

Referee: Niall Fahy (Brian Dillon's).