- match report -

Ballincollig           1-14-
Kilmichael             2-10
 
A storming finish from Ballincollig ensured they edged out Kilmichael in this exciting   Ross Oil JAFC game at Kilmurry on Sunday afternoon. Three late points snatched an unlikely victory after the victors trailed by five points with 12 minutes remaining.
Kilmichael’s Peter Kelleher landed two placed efforts after this game was delayed for almost 10 minutes following an accidental clash between Ballincollig’s Noel O’Toole and Kilmichael’s Colm Dromey. Further points from the lively Daniel Twomey and Conor Cotter consolidated Kilmichael’s advantage. After a sluggish opening Ballincollig burst into life and three points from the hard working Gearoid O’Donoghue, Stephen Coughlan and Peter O’Neill reduced the gap to the minimum.
O’Neill had an outstanding game for the winners and he found Coughlan with a beautiful pass before he blasted to the net after 26 minutes. Kilmichael’s talisman Kelleher clipped over another placed effort to keep his side touch. Moments later Kilmichael were back on level terms after sharp shooter Daniel Twomey brilliantly blasted to the net after great work from Colm Dromey, 1-5 apiece at the break.  
A brace from the talented Kelleher and another from Daniel Twomey edged the Kilmichael men three points clear before Ballincollig responded through Conor Kinsella and David Bowen. Against the run of play, Kilmichael’s Darragh Foley finished to the net after a magnificent team move involving Peter Kelleher, Colm Dromey and Daniel Twomey.
After squandering a number of chances Ballincollig eventually found their range with well worked scores converted by Conor Kinsella (2) and David Bowen. Peter Kelleher desperately attempted to lift his side with some monster fielding around the middle but Ballincollig’s defence, led by Chris Collins were outstanding during this period.
Ballincollig’s experienced attacker Niall Allen reduced the gap to the minimum with a terrific score before Stephan Coughlan clipped over the equaliser with time almost up. In a welter of excitement the victors launched one final attack with Peter O’Neill setting up Dylan Kirstein who charged through the middle before fisting over the winner.
 
Scorers for Ballincollig: S Coughlan 1-3, N Allen, C Kinsella 0-3 each, D Bowen 0-2, R Burke, D Kirstein, G O’Donoghue 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilmichael: P Kelleher 0-6 (3f), D Twomey 1-3 (1f), D Foley 1-0, C Cotter 0-1.
Ballincollig: C Noonan; C Collins, N O’Toole, G O’Donoghue; D Bowen, D Kirstein, K Crowley; P O’Neill, N Allen; B Cotter, J Kelly, C Kinsella; R Burke, S Coughlan, J O’Connor. Subs: D Collins for G O’Donoghue (inj, 33m), C O’Donovan for N O’Toole (inj, 40m), C Sexton for J O’Connor (50m).
Kilmichael: S Masters; S Kelleher, A Kelly, K Murphy; D Foley, F Buckley, B Kelleher; F Dromey, C Cotter; B Cotter, C Dromey, D Crowley; S Foley, P Kelleher, D Twomey.
 
Referee: P O’Leary (Kilmurry).

Report by Kevin Murphy.