Junior B Footballers Capture League Title
November 13, 2014
Ballincollig 3-10 Ballinora 1-5
On Sunday last on a fresh but dry day at Ballincollig GAA grounds, we took on local rivals Ballinora in the Muskerry Junior Football Division 3 league final. After the disappointment of losing to Kilmurry in the semi final of the championship 3 weeks ago, this was seen as a chance to atone for that defeat and end the season on a high. Also at stake was promotion to division 2, a target that was set by the management team at the start of the year.
A good start saw us take the lead in the first 10 min, with points form Brian O Riordan and Ronan Cambridge and an excellent goal from Con Breen. Leading by 1-2 to 2, we were comfortably in control in defence and also creating chances if not quite taking full advantage of the good play out the field. A couple of positional changes seemed to open up the play a little and after a great run by Luke Carey Murphy, Ronan Cambridge found himself in possession, and finished brilliantly, low and right of the Ballinora keeper, thus leading to a 7 point lead for Ballincollig.
However, the advantage of that goal was immediately wiped out due a temporary lapse in concentration in the middle of defence which let Ballinora in for a goal immediately from the kickoff, despite the efforts of captain John Noonan in goals (who had already made 2 outstanding saves). Half time wasn’t long coming afterwards and we led 2-4 to 1-3 at the break, probably not a true reflection of the good play, but still a good return for this time of year.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Ballincollig defending with fantastic discipline and attacking with great speed and kick passing accurately. Great work around the middle of the field by Noel O Toole, Rob Walsh, Tim Collins and Luke Carey Murphy combining with the finishing of Con Breen and Ronan Cambridge started to put daylight between the teams. There were no letups in defence where Paul Desmond, Eoghan O Callaghan and Brendan Fitzgerald were on total control, enabling us to stretch the lead. Eventually in the 55 minute, great play between Luke Carey Murphy, Brian O Riordan and Michael McNulty placed Ronan Cambridge inside the cover and he coolly finished the game out. Further points from McNulty and Dan Barry added icing to the cake and a comfortable winning margin of 3-10 to 1-5.
At the end of a long season, while success in championship was not achieved, one of the priority goals of promotion to division 2 was achieved. This status will no doubt help in the development of players next year and in the future – there is definitely a step up in standard between division 3 and 2. Great credit is due to all the players throughout the year who only tasted defeat once to a division 2 Kilmurry side. Fantastic performances were produced throughout the year, culminating in a fully rounded footballing performance in a league final. Well done to all including Miceal Quelly who has worked tirelessly with a number of teams throughout the year.
Ballincollig Scorers: Ronan Cambridge 2-3, Con Breen 1-4, Michael McNulty 0-1, Brian O Riordan 0-1, Dan Barry 0-1.
Team: John Noonan, Paul Desmond, Eoghan O Callaghan, Brendan Fitzgerald, Luke Carey Murphy, JP O Leary, John Connaughton, Noel O’ Toole, Rob Walsh, Tim Collins, John O Driscoll, Con Breen, Dan Barry, Ronan Cambridge, Brian O Riordan
Subs: William Greene, Michael McNulty, Kevin Jennings, Joe Callinan, Kevin Bohane.
On Sunday last on a fresh but dry day at Ballincollig GAA grounds, we took on local rivals Ballinora in the Muskerry Junior Football Division 3 league final. After the disappointment of losing to Kilmurry in the semi final of the championship 3 weeks ago, this was seen as a chance to atone for that defeat and end the season on a high. Also at stake was promotion to division 2, a target that was set by the management team at the start of the year.
A good start saw us take the lead in the first 10 min, with points form Brian O Riordan and Ronan Cambridge and an excellent goal from Con Breen. Leading by 1-2 to 2, we were comfortably in control in defence and also creating chances if not quite taking full advantage of the good play out the field. A couple of positional changes seemed to open up the play a little and after a great run by Luke Carey Murphy, Ronan Cambridge found himself in possession, and finished brilliantly, low and right of the Ballinora keeper, thus leading to a 7 point lead for Ballincollig.
However, the advantage of that goal was immediately wiped out due a temporary lapse in concentration in the middle of defence which let Ballinora in for a goal immediately from the kickoff, despite the efforts of captain John Noonan in goals (who had already made 2 outstanding saves). Half time wasn’t long coming afterwards and we led 2-4 to 1-3 at the break, probably not a true reflection of the good play, but still a good return for this time of year.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with Ballincollig defending with fantastic discipline and attacking with great speed and kick passing accurately. Great work around the middle of the field by Noel O Toole, Rob Walsh, Tim Collins and Luke Carey Murphy combining with the finishing of Con Breen and Ronan Cambridge started to put daylight between the teams. There were no letups in defence where Paul Desmond, Eoghan O Callaghan and Brendan Fitzgerald were on total control, enabling us to stretch the lead. Eventually in the 55 minute, great play between Luke Carey Murphy, Brian O Riordan and Michael McNulty placed Ronan Cambridge inside the cover and he coolly finished the game out. Further points from McNulty and Dan Barry added icing to the cake and a comfortable winning margin of 3-10 to 1-5.
At the end of a long season, while success in championship was not achieved, one of the priority goals of promotion to division 2 was achieved. This status will no doubt help in the development of players next year and in the future – there is definitely a step up in standard between division 3 and 2. Great credit is due to all the players throughout the year who only tasted defeat once to a division 2 Kilmurry side. Fantastic performances were produced throughout the year, culminating in a fully rounded footballing performance in a league final. Well done to all including Miceal Quelly who has worked tirelessly with a number of teams throughout the year.
Ballincollig Scorers: Ronan Cambridge 2-3, Con Breen 1-4, Michael McNulty 0-1, Brian O Riordan 0-1, Dan Barry 0-1.
Team: John Noonan, Paul Desmond, Eoghan O Callaghan, Brendan Fitzgerald, Luke Carey Murphy, JP O Leary, John Connaughton, Noel O’ Toole, Rob Walsh, Tim Collins, John O Driscoll, Con Breen, Dan Barry, Ronan Cambridge, Brian O Riordan
Subs: William Greene, Michael McNulty, Kevin Jennings, Joe Callinan, Kevin Bohane.