O’Dwyer points way for ’Collig
The All-Ireland minor hurling winner of 1995 finished the game with nine points, six from frees, and was ably assisted by Rory Doherty and Robert Ryan, who shared six points between them, all from play.
Ballincollig may have had an excellent freetaker in O’Dwyer but Tracton also had a superb marksman in Ronan Walsh who matched the Ballincollig man point for point, scoring one more from frees.
It may not have been a classic contest, but for sheer honest effort, it couldn’t be faulted. Ballincollig deserved their success as they were marginally better in terms of hurling skill, but Tracton lost no face in this defeat.
With both defences on top, goals changes were at a premium. Tracton did create two but Gearoid Kingston and his namesake John’s efforts went the wrong side of an empty net midway through the second half which effectively sealed their fate.
Ballincollig hit the ground running from the throw in and their twin strike force of Rory Doherty and John O’Dwyer landed a point each inside the opening 60 seconds, and that was despite playing against the stiffish wind.
Playing the passing game to perfection, the Mid-Cork side looked to be heading for a comfortable win as Dwyer converted two frees which helped his side into an 0-4 to 0-1 lead after five minutes.
However Tracton were never a side to back away from a challenge. With Ronan Walsh punishing some ridiculous indiscretions by the Ballincollig defence which earned Brian Cotter and Ciaran O’Sullivan needless yellow cards, the Minane Bridge side were level for the first time after 10 minutes, as Walsh pointed three frees in a row.
After their early dominance, Ballincollig lost their way somewhat and struggled to cope with Tracton’s no nonsense hurling, and with Ronan Walsh unerring from frees, they hit the front for the first time after 20 minutes.
Tracton needed the cushion of at least a five-point lead at half time if they were to have any chance against the wind, but their over-reliance on Ronan Walsh for scores from frees, meant little return from the other forwards, and their half-time lead of 0-10 to 0-9, thanks to a massive point from wing back Kieran Corrigan, left them with it all to do on the changeover.
The second half developed into a tremendous contest. Wind assisted Ballincollig were level five minutes in and two evenly matched sides were level for a sixth time by the 40th minute after trading points.
As the half wore on, Tracton spurned those two goal chances before O’Dwyer and Doherty edged Ballincollig two points clear and it looked as if they would shade it.
However back came Tracton and with full back Sean O’Sullivan lording the square, the sides were level for the seventh time at 0-16 apiece with 10 minutes of time left.
Down at the other end Ballincollig were grateful for the excellence of Stephen O’Donoghue at centre back and as the time ticked away, the tension began to mount as a draw looked likely.
It wasn’t to be however as Ballincollig, with O’Dwyer, Doherty and Robert Ryan knocking over a point each, and they hung on for a deserved victory which sees them into the semi-final where they will meet Watergrasshill or Douglas.
Scorers for Ballincollig: J. O’Dwyer 0-9 (0-6 frees); R. Doherty, R. Ryan 0-3 each; A. Donovan 0-2; R. O’Driscoll, C. O’Sullivan, J. O’Brien 0-1 each.
Tracton: R. Walsh 0-9 (0-7 frees); K. Corrigan 0-3; J. Kingston 0-2; G. Kingston, M. O’Sullivan, P. Kingston 0-1 each.
BALLINCOLLIG: F. Kelly; B. Cotter, L. Jennings, JP Murphy; C. O’Sullivan, S. O’Donoghue, K. Kelleher; E. O’Sullivan, J. O’Brien; D. Bowen, J. Dwyer, R. O’Driscoll; A. Donovan, R. Ryan, R. Doherty.
TRACTON: D. Walsh; M. Barry, S. O’Sullivan, C. McGuinness; C. Lordan, B. Lynch, K. Corrigan; F. Lynch, K. Lynch; J. Kingston, P. Kingston, F. Walsh; R. Walsh, M. O’Sullivan, G. Kingston.
Sub: John Kingston for F. Walsh (half time).
Referee: C. McAlister (Aghada).
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