Ballinhassig Secure Return to Senior Hurling After Premier IHC Final Victory

 

Ballinhassig 2-22, Ballincollig 1-19

Ballinhassig secured the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier IHC title and their return to senior hurling after an impressive six-point victory over Ballincollig at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

The final score mirrored the result of their opening-round encounter, reflecting Ballinhassig’s season-long consistency. The match was defined by a magnificent individual display from Ballinhassig captain Ger Collins, who finished with an outstanding tally of 1-11 and was named Co-Op Superstores man-of-the-match.

The contest was tight and evenly matched for the majority of the hour. Ballincollig, a youthful side, started confidently, registering the first three points via a Stephen Wills free, Theo Morgan, and Brian Keating. Wills proved to be Ballincollig’s star performer, accounting for 1-10 of their total.

Ballinhassig found their rhythm through two early Collins frees, and a well-worked point from Fintan O’Leary, followed by a long-range score from centre-back Darragh O’Sullivan, brought the deficit down to a single point. After the substitution of the injured corner-back Ciarán Kirby, Ballinhassig began to take control of the scoreboard, moving 0-9 to 0-6 ahead, with goalkeeper Patrick Collins landing a monster free.

Despite Ballincollig having two goal chances denied late in the half, Ballinhassig held a narrow advantage at the break, 0-11 to 0-10.

Ballinhassig accelerated immediately in the second half, boosted by the introduction of substitute Evan Cullinane, who scored three points. They outscored Ballincollig five points to two to build an early cushion. However, Ballincollig showed great tenacity to fight back, drawing level at 0-16 apiece thanks mainly to the unerring accuracy of free-taker Stephen Wills.

The match pivoted in the final quarter. In the 47th minute, Ballinhassig were awarded a penalty after Micheal Collins was fouled, which Ger Collins duly converted to raise the green flag. The title was effectively sealed five minutes from time when substitute Seán Lombard set up Conor Desmond for Ballinhassig’s second goal.

Stephen Wills converted a close-in free for a late Ballincollig goal, but it was too little, too late, as Ballinhassig comfortably saw out the six-point win.

---

Scorers

Scorers for Ballinhassig: G Collins (1-11, 1-0 pen, 0-7 frees, 0-2 65s), C Desmond (1-2), E Cullinane (0-3), P Collins (free), D O’Sullivan, M Collins, S McCarthy, S Lombard and F O’Leary (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballincollig: S Wills (1-10, 1-7 frees), B Keating (0-5), S O’Neill (0-3), T Morgan (0-1).

---

Teams

BALLINHASSIG: P Collins; C Kirby, K Maguire, P O’Leary; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; C Grainger, E Lombard; J Grainger, S McCarthy, S O’Neill; M Collins, F O’Leary, G Collins (Capt). Subs: J Lyne, E Cullinane, D O’Donovan, S Lombard, A O’Sullivan.

BALLINCOLLIG: J Linehan; B Dore, F Denny, J Murray; B Coleman, D O’Sullivan, D O’Leary; T Morgan, T O’Connell; D O’Mahony, C O’Driscoll, S O’Neill; S Wills, B Keating, A Wills. Subs: J Dwyer, M Oldham, Cian Dorgan (Capt), C Dalton, P Morris.

Referee: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).