O’Brien hails spirit as Ballincollig edge Barr’s

Ballincollig 1-09 St Finbarr’s 1-08

From 2008 to 2011 inclusive, each campaign involved a first-round defeat and subsequent negotiation of the backdoor stage, with exertions there often contributing to defeat later on as great potential never fulfilled itself.

Saturday night’s victory over St Finbarr’s in Páirc Uí Rinn was the third year in a row they have overcome the first hurdle, even if a hefty turnaround was required. Seven minutes into the second half, they trailed the city side by 1-4 to 0-2 but managed to claw their way back. Sub Ian Coughlan’s goal levelled at 1-7 each and they powered on from there.