Ballingeary, Castletown in grandstand finish

SOME terrific free-flowing football at Páirc Uí Rinn yesterday, Ballingeary and Castletownbere in a game to savour, one of the best finishes to a final in years failing to produce a winner in an Evening Echo Cork IFC decider that ebbed and flowed throughout.

First Castletownbere thought the Cup was coming home for the first time since 1986 when the inspirational Sean O’Regan pointed in the 58th minute. Then Ballingeary, in their first final at senior level, felt their hands were on the trophy, injury-time points from substitute Eoin Quill and Liam Shorten putting them ahead. But up stepped the outstanding Donagh Wiseman to deservedly save the day for Castletown.

Andy Concannon, with six points, was a huge player for Ballingeary. So too was his uncle, the inspirational Peadar at midfield. His battle with Andrew O’Sullivan was a real treat. In the end a draw was probably a fair result, should be a cracking replay.