Ballincollig produce big display to master Nemo

OUTSIDERS Ballincollig produced the shock of the Evening Echo Cork SFC opening round at Ovens yesterday when defeating kingpins Nemo Rangers 3-4 to 1-7 to guarantee themselves senior status for at least another year.

There was no fluke about the result, despite Nemo storming into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead in the first minute through James Masters playing into the wind.

While full-forward John Kelly’s 57th minute goal was decisive, Ballincollig had a team of heroes. Kelly scored 1-1 from play and set up his brother Patrick for a goal.

Niall O’Sullivan (Nemo) and Brian Cotter got straight red cards. The latter will hope it doesn’t keep him out of Saturday’s All-Ireland U-21 semi-final against Laois.

Scorers: Ballincollig: J. Kelly 1-1; P. Kelly, A. O’Donovan 1-0 each; M. Greene 0-2 (0-1 free); P. Corcoran 0-1. Nemo: J. Masters 1-5 (0-2 frees); P. Kerrigan, D. Mehigan 0-1 each.

A PEACH of a goal from Robert O’Mahony turned the game for St Finbarr’s as they triumphed 1-13 to 0-11, in their local derby against Bishopstown at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday.

O’Mahony struck 15 minutes from the end when he raced onto a probing kick from midfielder Jim O’Donoghue before punching the decisive goal past goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran.

Scorers: St. Finbarr’s: R. O’Mahony 1-2; G. Leahy 0-3; A. Callinan 0-2; J. O’Donoghue 0-2; C. O’Sullivan 0-2; P. Murphy and R. Curran 0-1 each. Bishopstown: J. Ferriter 0-4 (0-3 from frees); J. L. O’Sullivan 0-2; D. Crowley 0-2; D. Murphy, J. O’Shea and R. Honohan 0-1 each.

A SHOCK of sorts but a well deserved 1-12 to 1-10 victory for Naomh Aban who had it wrapped up before O’Donovan Rossa got a late goal in this SFC first round clash at Ahiohill.

While the point-scoring of both teams got the plaudits of the large crowd it was the Ballyvourney goal, by substitute Colmán Ó’Túama, that made all the difference.

Scorers: Naomh Abán: M Ó’Cróinin 0-7 (0-3 frees, 0-1 ‘45), C Ó’Túama 1-0, J McCárthaigh 0-2, A Ó’Cróinin 0-2, D O’Súilleabháin 0-1. O’Donovan Rossa: C McCarthy 1-6, J Werner 0-2 (0-1 free), N McCarthy (jnr), R Long (free) 0-1 each.

ALTHOUGH Dohenys and Castlehaven were guaranteed a place in the third round at Roscarberry yesterday, pride was at stake in this derby, which Dohenys won 2-12 to 2-7.

Forty minutes into a free-flowing contest, Castlehaven, who had just drawn level, carved open Doheny’s but Bernie Collins was denied a goal by the outstretched leg of full back Paul Deane. Had it gone in, the Haven might have gone on to win but Dohenys finished the stronger.

Scorers: Dohenys: G McCarthy 2-4 (0-3 frees), M Farr 0-2, S Farr 0-2 (0-1 free), D O’Donovan, D Healy, P Collins, P McCarthy 0-1 each. Castlehaven: S Cahalane 0-4 (0-2 frees), S Hurley, D O’Neill 1-0 each, B Collins 0-3.

CLONAKILTY need a marked improvement to have any chance of further progress in the SFC after this less than impressive 1-8 to 1-6 win over St Michael’s at windy Brinny yesterday.

It was a sub-standard clash, with little flowing football, and too many misplaced passes and handling errors.

Scorers: Clonakilty: C Callanan 1-2; C Murphy 0-3 (frees); P Griffin 0-2; C O’Donovan 0-1. St Michael’s: A O’Donovan 1-5 (0-3 frees; 0-1 ‘45’); M Mulconry 0-1.

A MAGNIFICENT Paul O’Brien injury time goal gave St Nicholas a dramatic 1-10 to 0-12 victory over Ilen Rovers at Bandon on Saturday.

The West Cork side looked to have their round three place secured as they entered the closing minutes with a two-point lead. But in a last attack, captain O’Brien hit the winning goal.

Scorers: St. Nicholas: P. O’Brien 1-2; J. Kearney 0-2 (frees); D. Brosnan, N. Harte, G. Callanan, N. Horgan, D. Cunningham, D. Busteed 0-1 each. Ilen Rovers: J. Whooley, B. O’Sullivan, K. O’Sullivan (frees), K. Daly, C. O’Driscoll 0-2 each; F. Collins, D. Duggan 0-1 each.

AGHADA defied the odds with a power-packed display at Ballinacurra, sending 14-man Na Piarsaigh into a difficult relegation and championship survival battle with Bishopstown thanks to a 0-10 to 0-9 victory.

It took a late point from full back Billy Hennessy and an injury time free kick from the reliable Trevor O’Keeffe to give Aghada the victory.

Scorers: Aghada: T O’Keeffe 0-5 (0-4 frees), S O’Keeffe 0-2 (frees), E O’Neill, T O’Neill and B Hennessy 0-1 each. Na Piarsaigh: J Gardiner 0-4 (0-3 frees), C O’Mahony and S O’Sullivan 0-2 each, M Prendergast 0-1.