P1 MFC: Ballincollig survive dramatic Douglas fightback in six-goal clash

Douglas 2-11 (2-1-9)

Ballincollig 4-13 (4-0-13)

It was comfortable in the end, but threatened not to be after a second half revival from Douglas. But a ruthless Ballincollig killed it as quickly as it came in Douglas, to ensure that they, alongside Douglas, would secure knockout spots in the Premier 1 Minor Football Championship on Wednesday evening.

Without Ronan Sweeney, Jack O’Brien, Ben O’Keeffe and Padraig McGrath, a quartet that excelled in the win over Kinsale, it was a tough ask for the hosts.

Their challenge looked to be dead and buried in the first half after a brace from Luke O’Mahony, who was outstanding for Ballincollig.

Couple that with full-back Tadhg Curtin limping off in the 28th minute, the first of three players to pick up injuries for Douglas, they were in trouble.

Shortly after Curtin’s departure, Ballincollig added another 1-2 to take their lead to 10 in time for the short whistle, 3-6 to 0-5.

When Cian Ahern and O’Mahony both found the target on the resumption to leave Ballincollig 3-8 to 0-6 in front after 37 minutes, the result looked to already be decided.

But remarkably, in the space of four minutes, Douglas cut that deficit from 11 to two.

Liam Kelleher, Douglas, looking to break between Ballincollig players Darragh Crowley and Alex Rose. Picture: Dan Linehan

First up was Joe Mouret, who kicked a stunning two-pointer. Then Keelan Kavanagh to Adam Kelly, who set up James Gordon. His first effort was saved but he got the follow-up to raise a desperately needed green flag.

From the kickout, Ben Herlihy forced a turnover, teed up Mark O’Brien, and he smashed it into the roof of the net.

The very next restart was again stolen by Douglas, this time a brilliant take from Liam Kelleher in the air. It passed through Eoin Gibson on its way to Thomas Murray, and he split the posts to leave it 3-8 to 2-9.

Brian Cronin got an important point back for Ballincollig in the 44th minute. By the end of the 46th minute, they had scored another 1-2 on top of that. Ahern with the points, O’Mahony with the icing on top, breaking through for a low finish to kill the Douglas fightback and complete his hat-trick.

The pace slowed in the final quarter, that eight-point margin simply insurmountable for Douglas. In the end they were beaten comfortably, but they’re through – and that’s what matters.

Joe Mouret, Douglas, and Danny Miskella, Ballincollig, contest this high ball. Picture: Dan Linehan

Douglas had fought hard, and put together a number of decent scores in the first half, but they couldn’t deal with the threat O’Mahony and Ahern brought up front.

Supported by Danny Miskella at corner-forward and midfielders Kevin O’Leary and Brian Cronin, Ballincollig continuously broke through the middle and tore Douglas apart.

Their efforts were rewarded with three first-half majors. The opening goal was the game’s first score, a counter-attack started by Ethan Donovan, and Miskella was allowed carry the ball right through the middle unchallenged, before pawning it off to O’Mahony, who palmed home.

By the 20th minute, the goal remained the difference – 1-3 to 0-3 – but the second Ballincollig major would come a minute later as O’Mahony waltzed through before setting up Cronin for a thunderous finish.

Herlihy and Murray hit back for Douglas, but O’Mahony would break through again, taking on a defender for every step before blasting into the net. He was simply untouchable.

Points from O’Leary and Miskella would see the Village take their lead to 10, and with Jack Ryan and Cian O’Connor so commanding in defence, the fact Douglas even got as close as they did in the second half was astounding.

But Ballincolllig, the reigning champions, closed out in ruthless fashion.

Scorers for Douglas: M O’Brien 1-1, J Gordon 1-0, E Gibson (0-1 f), B Herlihy (f), J Mouret (tp), T Murray 0-2 each, I Butler, D O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballincollig: L O’Mahony 3-2 (0-1 f), C Ahern 0-5, B Cronin 1-1, D Miskella 0-3, K O’Leary, P McCarthy 0-1 each.

DOUGLAS: J O’Flaherty; E Kilbride, T Curtin, D O’Donoghue; J Mouret, L Kelleher, D Burke; J Gordon, D O’Connor; I Butler, M O’Brien, K Kavanagh; B Herlihy, E Gibson, T Murray.

Subs: P Rudden for Curtin (27 inj), A Kelly for Kilbride (31 inj), O Doherty for Kavanagh (44), S O’Keeffe for Murray (51), S O Suilleabhain for Herlihy (57).

BALLINCOLLIG: M Murray; E Lynch, P Rose, D Crowley; J Ryan, C O’Connor, A Rose; K O’Leary, B Cronin; M Delaney, C Ahern, E Donovan; D Miskella, L O’Mahony, T Murphy.

Subs: D Murray for Murphy (37), P McCarthy for Lynch (51), R Healy for A Rose (57).

Referee: M Maher (St Finbarr’s)

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