Ballincollig fury at John Miskella dismissal

Ballincollig 1-15 St Finbarr’s 1-12: Let’s put to one side for a second Ballincollig’s successful opening bout in their county title defence, that much we expected, for the more pressing items emerging from Páirc Uí Rinn were Patrick Kelly’s ongoing struggle with a calf injury and the straight red card shown to John Miskella.

First up in Michael O’Brien’s post-match reflection was Miskella’s dismissal on 26 minutes. The former Cork footballer was adjudged to have swung his elbow at St Finbarr’s corner-back Paul Kennedy and the Ballincollig boss slammed the decision of referee Conor Lane as “outrageous”.

“It was absolutely harsh. I don’t know what was going on in his [the referee’s] mind,” said the winning manager. Another influential Ballincollig figure was removed to the sideline on 42 minutes, Patrick Kelly emptying the tank in his first competitive outing since Cork’s league defeat away to Derry on April 5.