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).

Kilbrittain 0-22, Glen Rovers 2-15

Kilbrittain are the Co-op Superstores Premier JHC champions following a hard-fought victory over Glen Rovers at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday night. The thrilling final was a battle from start to finish, with the narrowest of margins separating the sides, as a late Glen Rovers goal cut the deficit to the minimum just before the final whistle.

Kilbrittain started strongly, with Mark Hickey opening the scoring from a ’65 after his own early goal effort was saved. Hickey and Luke Griffin helped Kilbrittain to an early 0-6 to 0-1 lead after six minutes.

Glen Rovers, however, worked their way back into the game through scores from Shane Busteed, Conor Dorris, and Fiachra O’Driscoll. They took the lead for the first time in the 27th minute when Gearoid Mulcahy found the back of the net after a long free was batted down, making the score 1-7 to 0-9. Further points from Mulcahy and Dorris left Glen Rovers ahead at the break, 1-9 to 0-10.

A Point-for-Point Battle

The second half was a relentless point-for-point exchange. Hickey pointed a free and Philip Wall levelled the contest early on. The sides traded scores through Ronan Crowley and Mulcahy.

The crucial scores came from the accuracy of Mark Hickey, who converted a series of frees to push Kilbrittain back into the lead. Kilbrittain maintained a tight grip on the scoreboard, but Glen Rovers refused to yield, with Evan Murphy keeping them within touching distance.

In a poignant moment, Kilbrittain’s victory was secured on what would have been the birthday of clubman Oisín Gillain, whose memory was honoured throughout their campaign.

Despite Evan Murphy scoring a late goal from a free, it was too late for Glen Rovers. The final whistle sounded shortly after the restart, confirming Kilbrittain as champions by a score of 0-22 to 2-15.

Scorers

Scorers for Kilbrittain: M Hickey (0-9, 0-6 f), R Crowley (0-4, 0-1 f), P Wall (0-3), L Griffin, J O’Donovan (0-2 each), C Hogan, S Sexton (0-1 each).

Scorers for Glen Rovers: G Mulcahy, E Murphy (f) (1-3 each), C Dorris (0-4), S Busteed, F O’Driscoll, C Healy, A O’Sullivan, D Tynan (0-1 each).

Teams

KILBRITTAIN: D Desmond; D Considine, J Hurley, E O’Neill; A Holland, T Sheehan, C Sheehan; S Sexton, J O’Donovan; M Hickey, P Wall, R Crowley; C Hogan, L Griffin, B Butler. Subs: C Ustionowski, D Harrington, T Harrington.

GLEN ROVERS: B Heffernan; D Dunlea, G Marshall, Z Lynch; D Coughlan, D Noonan, A O’Sullivan; G Mulcahy, F O’Driscoll; G Kennefick, K McCarthy Coade, C Healy; C Dorris, E Murphy, S Busteed. Subs: D Tynan, J Corkery, E O’Sullivan, D Long, C O’Brien.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers).