Castlehaven book semi-final place after overcoming tough Ballincollig challenge
UP FOR GRABS: Castlehaven's Michael Hurley is tackled by Ballincollig's Liam Jennings and Colin Moore during the Cork Premier SFC quarter final at Enniskeane. Pic: Eddie O'Hare
If adversity reveals character, then Castlehaven displayed plenty of it in Enniskeane on Sunday to book a date with St Finbarr’s in the semi-final of the Bons Secours Cork Premier SFC.
Leading by 0-11 to 0-7 with five minutes to go, they seemed to have ridden out the Ballincollig storm as the Muskerry side had spurned two good goal opportunities. However, there was one more kick in them. Harry Ahearne floated a long ball in around the square where Dara Dorgan was waiting to gather and crash to the net. Tadhg O’Connell then pointed to level the game for the first time, and we seemed set for an ambush in West Cork.
Michael Hurley had other ideas though. He had missed ten minutes of the second half after receiving a black card, and that extra bit of energy was vital as he kicked a sweet score to put the Haven back in front. Jack Cahalane then tapped over his second point after a smart pass from Conor O’Driscoll before Hurley fisted over again in the 64th minute to secure the win for his side.
Such a conclusion seemed fanciful after a first half that was completely dominated by the Haven. Ballincollig started with the elements at their backs, but it was Castlehaven who played all the football as they made less errors, moved the ball with more purpose and were far more clinical than their opponents.
In the first fifteen minutes they kicked five points while Ballincollig hit five wides. Key to the Haven’s supremacy was Brian Hurley on the forty. He linked the play well, provided leadership and kicked scores off his left and right as Mark Collins, Jack Cahalane, and Sean Browne also split the posts.
Cian Dorgan finally registered Ballincollig’s first point with a free in the 23rd minute, but the West Cork side were soon back on the front foot as Collins kicked his second and Hurley landed a beautiful free from distance. Dorgan tapped over another free for Ballincollig, but they couldn’t find their mojo at all as Thomas O’Mahony curtailed the influence of Liam O’Connell and Cian Kiely lacked his usual zip at wing back. Hurley had no such trouble as he linked with well with Conor Cahalane to kick his fourth point to give the Haven a 0-8 to 0-2 interval lead.
Dorgan and Cathal Maguire exchanged scores on the resumption, but Ballincollig were handed a lifeline when Hurley received his black card. They used the advantage well, kicking three points through Seán Kiely, Dorgan and Darragh O’Mahony to make it 0-9 to 0-6 with thirteen to play.
However, when Damien Cahalane and Jack O’Neill kicked the next two scores, that seemed to be that, especially as Darragh Cahalane made two point blank saves from Dara Dorgan and Harry Ahearne. Cian Kiely then kicked a point before the Haven survived that late test of their resolve, a resolve they will need when they take on the Barrs in two weeks’ time.
B Hurley (0-4, 0-1 free), J Cahalane, M Hurley and M Collins (0-2 each), D Cahalane, J O’Neill, S Browne and C Maguire (0-1 each).
C Dorgan (0-4, 0-3 frees), D Dorgan (1-0), C Kiely, D O’Mahony, T O’Connell and S Kiley (0-1 each).
D Cahalane; J O’Regan, R Maguire, R Walsh; T O’Mahony, D Cahalane, C Maguire; C Cahalane, M Collins; A Whelton, B Hurley, S Browne; J O’Neill, J Cahalane, M Hurley.
C O’Driscoll for Browne (42), R Minihane for O’Neill (54), C Nolan for Whelton (56), C O’Sullivan for Walsh (64).
J Gibbons; C Moore, L Jennings, C Moore; C Kiely, H Ahearne, M Oldham; S Dore, P O’Neill; S Kiely, L O’Connell, D O’Mahony; R Noonan, C Dorgan, D Murphy.
T O’Connell for Noonan and S O’Neill for Murphy (both h/t), D Dorgan for Dore (40), E Cooke for S Kiely (41), S Kiely for O Donoghue (49).
James Regan (Lough Rovers).
A collection of the latest sports news, reports and analysis from Cork.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
