Ballincollig savour moment of history

The closing stages of the Cork senior football championship final seemed to pass in slow motion.

Three times, the Ballincollig supporters poured onto the field during the six minutes of injury-time played by referee James Bermingham. Each time, furious stewards ushered them back outside the whitewash. Spectators in green and white struggled to contain themselves. History neared.

When Bermingham sounded the whistle for the last time on their battle with Carbery Rangers, the outpouring of relief, ecstasy and elation was beyond description. Mothers, fathers, and players wept. Ballincollig’s 128-year wait for senior football glory was over.