Junior Football News
October 01, 2014
Junior A League
Over the last week, the Junior A team were out 3 times over the course of 5 days. The week started with the one clear objective, beat Canovee, our direct rivals for the second league final spot on Monday night in order to give us a chance to qualify for the final.
After a tight and sometimes scrappy game, Canovee looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with 2 late points to put them ahead for the first time in the game. As has been the case with a lot of the players involved with this team, the never say die attitude and refusal to panic in any given situation stood to us as the ball was worked down the field and a high ball into a crowded goalmouth from Colm O Connor somehow found its way into the back of the net. Another victory and a clearer picture of what was required in order to prolong the league campaign for another few weeks.
On Thursday night, a stronger and more experienced team took the field against last year’s Muskerry Champions Kilmichael. The performance from Ballincollig was out of the top drawer, in fact probably the best of the year as we ended up 16 point victors 2-16 to 0-6 points. Great credit is due to all players who gave a top drawer performance, and hopes were high that a repeat could be achieved over the recent Muskerry finalists and league leaders Aghinagh 24 hours later. Another twist to the tail was that Canovee, now our only rivals for the second league final spot, were playing Dripsey at the same time on Friday night. Nothing other than a victory for Canovee would place Ballincollig in the final regardless of the result against Aghinagh, and also a draw for Ballincollig against Aghinagh would put them in the driving seat (due to head to head results from earlier in the week)
Although numbers were tight, with Junior B champ on Sunday ruling a few players out swell as work commitments, a continuation of the form from the night before saw Ballincollig leading 10-6 at half time, and playing within themselves. As the second half worn on however, the superior fitness of Aghinagh began to tell, as well as the 2 games earlier in the week for Ballincollig. 2 soft goals were conceded, and although Ballincollig fought right to last minute, were beaten on a score line of 2-13 to 0–16. A hard loss but still head held high. A further blow was the news coming from Cloghduv that Canovee had beaten Drispey with a late goal, placing them above us in the final league standing.
Great credit must go all the players involved, the majority of whom are with still involved in the senior panel or else playing Junior B championship (for some both of these scenarios apply !!!!). A huge effort was made all year and not just for the last week.
Junior B Championship
ON Sunday morning in Blarney, the Junior B side took on Aghabullogue in the QF of the Muskerry Championship. After beating Éire Óg 11 weeks ago in round 1, hopes were high that a performance anywhere nears their potential would result in victory. While starting well, we were very wasteful in front of goal. The wet conditions were also leading to lots of mistakes and handling errors, mistakes that seemed to proving very costly with Ballincollig trailing 8 points to 5 with 4 minutes remaining. However the never say die attitude referenced earlier raised its head again and some enterprising play from Peter O Neill, Tim Collins and Con Breen resulted in 2 converted frees and a final point from Play from Breen to level it up in injury time. A few heart stopping moments followed during the last Aghabollogue attack, with ‘Hawk-eye’ being called for by the referee for a last attempt from the sideline from Aghabologue. It was ruled out, leading to a draw and replay on Tue 07th October in Macroom at 8 O Clock.
Special mention should go to Peter O Neill here, who after just returning from a season on the sidelines, played in all 4 of the games this week.
Over the last week, the Junior A team were out 3 times over the course of 5 days. The week started with the one clear objective, beat Canovee, our direct rivals for the second league final spot on Monday night in order to give us a chance to qualify for the final.
After a tight and sometimes scrappy game, Canovee looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with 2 late points to put them ahead for the first time in the game. As has been the case with a lot of the players involved with this team, the never say die attitude and refusal to panic in any given situation stood to us as the ball was worked down the field and a high ball into a crowded goalmouth from Colm O Connor somehow found its way into the back of the net. Another victory and a clearer picture of what was required in order to prolong the league campaign for another few weeks.
On Thursday night, a stronger and more experienced team took the field against last year’s Muskerry Champions Kilmichael. The performance from Ballincollig was out of the top drawer, in fact probably the best of the year as we ended up 16 point victors 2-16 to 0-6 points. Great credit is due to all players who gave a top drawer performance, and hopes were high that a repeat could be achieved over the recent Muskerry finalists and league leaders Aghinagh 24 hours later. Another twist to the tail was that Canovee, now our only rivals for the second league final spot, were playing Dripsey at the same time on Friday night. Nothing other than a victory for Canovee would place Ballincollig in the final regardless of the result against Aghinagh, and also a draw for Ballincollig against Aghinagh would put them in the driving seat (due to head to head results from earlier in the week)
Although numbers were tight, with Junior B champ on Sunday ruling a few players out swell as work commitments, a continuation of the form from the night before saw Ballincollig leading 10-6 at half time, and playing within themselves. As the second half worn on however, the superior fitness of Aghinagh began to tell, as well as the 2 games earlier in the week for Ballincollig. 2 soft goals were conceded, and although Ballincollig fought right to last minute, were beaten on a score line of 2-13 to 0–16. A hard loss but still head held high. A further blow was the news coming from Cloghduv that Canovee had beaten Drispey with a late goal, placing them above us in the final league standing.
Great credit must go all the players involved, the majority of whom are with still involved in the senior panel or else playing Junior B championship (for some both of these scenarios apply !!!!). A huge effort was made all year and not just for the last week.
Junior B Championship
ON Sunday morning in Blarney, the Junior B side took on Aghabullogue in the QF of the Muskerry Championship. After beating Éire Óg 11 weeks ago in round 1, hopes were high that a performance anywhere nears their potential would result in victory. While starting well, we were very wasteful in front of goal. The wet conditions were also leading to lots of mistakes and handling errors, mistakes that seemed to proving very costly with Ballincollig trailing 8 points to 5 with 4 minutes remaining. However the never say die attitude referenced earlier raised its head again and some enterprising play from Peter O Neill, Tim Collins and Con Breen resulted in 2 converted frees and a final point from Play from Breen to level it up in injury time. A few heart stopping moments followed during the last Aghabollogue attack, with ‘Hawk-eye’ being called for by the referee for a last attempt from the sideline from Aghabologue. It was ruled out, leading to a draw and replay on Tue 07th October in Macroom at 8 O Clock.
Special mention should go to Peter O Neill here, who after just returning from a season on the sidelines, played in all 4 of the games this week.