Patrick Kelly: Early wake-up call crucial

At the time, a 3-8 to 0-13 SFC first-round loss to Bishopstown was a blow to Ballincollig’s hopes, but hindsight has shown it to merely be the early blip in their season.

Seven games later, the mid-Cork side stand 60 minutes away from a second title in three years, as they face Carbery Rangers in Sunday’s final (3.45pm), aiming to repeat their 2014 final victory against the same opposition.

Given how thing have panned out, it’s little wonder that Ballincollig talisman Patrick Kelly cites that loss as having provided the push required.