Ballincollig U21 hurlers finish up gears to move past Éire Óg into Muskerry final

Ballincollig 1-19 Éire Óg 2-12 

Ballincollig outgunned neighbours Éire Óg in the Farho Heating U21 Hurling Championship semi-final at home.

After trailing by a goal at half-time the holders finished strongly, backboned by their county-winning Premier Intermediate team. Centre-back David O’Leary was outstanding while Pete Kelly’s contribution of 0-5 from play proved crucial.

This local derby was highly entertaining with the Ovens outfit registering the opening score through Sean Hurley. Ballincollig’s Danny Miskella clipped over from an impossible angle to equalise. 

The tackling was ferocious with Conor Dalton edging Ballincollig in front with a fine point. Éire Óg’s Sam Brennan had an excellent game and his brace put his side in front again. They were evenly matched with Daniel Healy levelling again with a mighty long-range free, 0-5 apiece after 15 minutes.

Éire Óg’s Josh McCarthy launched a long delivery that was flicked over the bar by Colm Sheehan in one of the scores of the game. On the stroke of half-time, Johnny Galvin crashed home an excellent goal after a great pass from Cian O’Flynn to leave it 1-8 to 0-8.

On the resumption, Ballincollig were level after Brian Cronin flicked to the net in a real goalmouth scramble. The Village really seized control at this stage and a pair of frees from Eoin Dwyer and a fine brace from Pete Kelly opened a decent lead. 

In typical fashion, Éire Óg launched a late comeback with sub Ethan Hyde finding the net and Brennan reducing the gap to three points. 

But Ballincollig held firm in the closing minutes and return to the Mid Cork final against Inniscarra or Blarney.

Scorers for Ballincollig: E Dwyer 0-6 (0-5 f), P Kelly 0-5, B Cronin 1-1, D Miskella, C Dalton 0-2 each, E Lynch, T Morgan, C Ahern 0-1 each.

Éire Óg: S Brennan 0-7 (0-6 f), J Galvin 1-1, E Hyde 1-0, D Healy 0-2 (0-1 f), C Sheehan, S Hurley 0-1 each.

BALLINCOLLIG: D O’Connell; J Costello, B Dore, D Lee; C Ahern, D O’Leary, K O’Leary; T Morgan, C Dalton; B O'Connell, P Kelly, B O’Connell; D Miskella, B Cronin, E Dwyer. 

Subs: E Lynch for J Miskella (48), B O’Sullivan for C Ahern (55), C Buckley for E Dwyer (58).

ÉIRE ÓG: R Coakley; C Murphy, K Beechinor, S O’Callaghan; C Clifford, E Hogan, M Sheehan; C Ó Flynn, J McCarthy; D Healy, J Galvin, S Hurley; S Brennan, C Sheehan, C Murphy. 

Subs: E Hyde for D Healy (40), J Healy for C Sheehan (50).

Referee: J Larkin (Ballinora).