Senior fellows: Ballinhassig upwardly mobile after impressive Premier IHC final win over Ballincollig
BOLT FROM THE BLUE: Ballinhassig coach John Paul Griffin and manager John O'Sullivan celebrate after defeating Ballincollig in the Co-Op Superstores Premier IHC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: Eddie O'Hare
The gremlins might have caught hold of their team line-out in the match programme with an extra sheet of paper provided for clarity, but there was nothing untoward about Ballinhassig on the field of play.
They marked their return to senior hurling after an impressive six-point victory over Ballincollig in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier IHC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.
They finished the season exactly as they started, having got the better of Ballincollig by six points in the opening round as well.
There was a masterclass display from their captain and man-of-the-match Ger Collins (1-11), who hoisted the Séamus Long Cup. So too, the input from their bench - a bench that contained a few first-choice players who were returning from injury.
Most notable was Evan Cullinane, who was introduced in the second half and he chalked three points after his name.
Ballincollig went toe-to-toe with Ballinhassig until the fourth quarter. The turning points arrived with a Ger Collins penalty conversion in the 47th minute, and a second goal for Ballinhassig from Conor Desmond five minutes from time.
Ballincollig's green flag was raised at the death.
For a youthful team, Ballincollig began with confidence, striking three points in as many minutes from Stephen Wills (free), Theo Morgan and Brian Keating.
Wills was their star man returning 1-10.
The response from Ballinhassig came in the form of two Ger Collins frees.
It wasn’t long before Ballincollig were on the front foot again, this time Stephen Wills and Seán O’Neill found the target.
Ballinhassig were starting to grow into the game.
Ger Collins picked out Fintan O’Leary who split the posts, and when centre-back Darragh O’Sullivan converted from out the field, there was just a point between the teams, 0-5 to 0-4.
It remained a one-point match after a quarter of an hour when a Stephen Wills free was cancelled by a long-range point from Conor Desmond.
Meanwhile, Ballinhassig corner-back Ciarán Kirby had to go off injured and he was replaced by Jamie Lyne.
It didn’t affect their mindset, as they proceeded to take control of the scoreboard.
Michael Collins drew them level for the first time in the 16th minute.
Goalkeeper Patrick Collins, who was kept busy as an extra defender, landed a monster free to put them into the lead, and when his brother Ger nailed a pair of frees, they moved 0-9 to 0-6 in front.
Ballincollig had a Cian O’Driscoll goal chance denied by strong defending five minutes before half time.
Seán O’Neill then closed the gap to two.
Goal opportunities weren’t taken advantage of again when the sliotar didn’t bounce for Adam Wills, and Michael Collins drew a save from James Linehan.
Ger Collins' sixth free left Ballinhassig one in front at the break, 0-11 to 0-10.
They built on their advantage straight from the off, Evan Cullinane catching the eye after his introduction.
Ballinhassig pushed on, outscoring their opponents five points to two.
In true Ballincollig fashion, they fought back to level mainly through the accuracy of free-taker Stephen Wills, 0-16 apiece.
As the contest entered the fourth quarter, it was a case of who was going to blink first.
When Micheal Collins was hauled down on route to goal, and Ger Collins planted the penalty, it was Ballinhassig that made the move in the 47th minute.
The outcome was done and dusted eight minutes later when sub Seán Lombard set up Conor Desmond for Ballinhassig’s second goal.
While Stephen Wills pulled a goal back from a close-in free a minute from time, this was a Blues' day.
g: G Collins (1-11, 1-0 pen, 0-7 frees, 0-2 65s), C Desmond (1-2), E Cullinane (0-3), P Collins (free), D O’Sullivan, M Collins, S McCarthy, S Lombard and F O’Leary (0-1 each).
g: S Wills (1-10, 1-7 frees), B Keating (0-5), S O’Neill (0-3), T Morgan (0-1).
: P Collins; C Kirby, K Maguire, P O’Leary; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; C Grainger, E Lombard; J Grainger, S McCarthy, S O’Neill; M Collins, F O’Leary, G Collins (Capt).
Subs: J Lyne for C Kirby (14 inj), E Cullinane for J Grainger, D O’Donovan for J O’Callaghan (both half-time), S Lombard for F O’Leary (38), A O’Sullivan for S O’Neill (44).
: J Linehan; B Dore, F Denny, J Murray; B Coleman, D O’Sullivan, D O’Leary; T Morgan, T O’Connell; D O’Mahony, C O’Driscoll, S O’Neill; S Wills, B Keating, A Wills.
Subs: J Dwyer for B Coleman (38), M Oldham for T Morgan (42), Cian Dorgan (Capt) for A Wills (49), C Dalton for J Dwyer (56), P Morris for T O’Connell (60).
: Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).
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