Ballincollig pull away from Bishopstown with final quarter surge
Bishopstown's Conor Hegarty shoots as Ballincollig's Stephen Wills closes in. Pic: David Keane.
An exhibition of point scoring in the final quarter eventually got Ballincollig over the line against Bishopstown after a highly entertaining PIHC opening round fixture at Ballyanly on Sunday evening.
A terrific 0-12 point contribution from Ballincollig’s Stephen Wills was crucial as Bishopstown held an eight point lead after 16 minutes.
Slowly but surely Ballincollig found their rhyme and eight Ballincollig players scored in the final ten minutes which gave them a well deserved victory in the end.
Bishopstown stormed out of the traps here and raced into an early lead with excellent points from Conor Hegarty, David Quaid, Calum Caplice and Brian Murphy.
Last year's beaten finalists Ballincollig finally got off the mark with an excellent point from their chief marksman Stephen Wills.
Tadgh O’Connell who had a fine game added a second as the game settled down.
Bishopstown were still playing all the hurling and a Conor O’Hora delivery got the slightest of flicks from Brian Murray to register a terrific goal.
Further points from free taker James Scally gave Bishopstown a commanding lead 1-8 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.
A shell-shocked Ballincollig finally got a foothold defensively and points from Stephen Wills and Tadgh O’Connell settled the nerves of the Muskerry side.
Ballincollig midfielder Theo Morgan started to get on ball and he flicked over a fine point before Stephen Wills added an excellent brace from play. Bishopstown’s James Scally clipped over his fifth point of the afternoon and a Cillian Murray placed effort ensured his side held a four-point lead, 1-11 to 0-10 at the break.
On resumption Ballincollig found the net after Cian O’Driscoll struck low and hard to the net after a superb marauding run through the defence from Tadgh O’Connell.
Stephen Wills landed a placed free and followed up with a ’65 which put Ballincollig in front for the first time.
But back came Bishopstown with a brilliant goal from Cillian Murray after he latched on to a Callum Caplice delivery which gave them a two-point lead, 2-11 to 1-12 after 40 minutes.
This game was really in the melting pot now but two placed efforts from Stephen Wills and an absolute beauty from play gave his side momentum as the game headed down the home straight.
Ballincollig were on top defensively now with O’Leary brothers David and Kevin launching plenty of attacks from a solid defensive unit.
Stephen Wills landed his sixth placed effort and twelfth point of the afternoon to edge his side in front after 52 minutes.
Ballincollig substitute Sean O’Neill made an impressive cameo, and he landed a fine individual effort.
Adam Wills registered his first point of the championship after picking up a neat sideline cut from his brother Stephen.
Another Ballincollig substitute Pete Kelly powered through the middle and found Tadgh O’Connell who clipped over his fourth of the afternoon to cap off an excellent performance.
Ballincollig were rampant now and Brian Dore clipped over a fine score.
The winners added points in the closing minutes from Theo Morgan and David O’Leary to stretch out their lead which may have flattered them slightly.
But Ballincollig get their campaign off to a winning start with a local derby victory but they face two more stern tests from Muskerry neighbours Éire Óg and Aghabullogue.
S Wills 0-12 ( 5f, 1 ’65), C O’Driscoll 1-1, T O’Connell 0-4, T Morgan 0-3, A Wills, S O’Neill, B Dore, D O’Leary 0-1 each.
J Scally 0-7 (5f), C Murray 1-1 (1f), B Murray 1-1 each, D Quaid 0-2, C Caplice, N O’Shea 0-1 each.
J Linehan, R O’Donovan, F Denny, B Dore; D O’Sullivan, J Dwyer, D O’Leary; T O’Connell, T Morgan; C O’Driscoll, S Wills, K O’Leary, A Wills, B Keating, Mark Oldham.
S O’Neill for M Oldham (20, inj), P Kelly for B Keating (45, inj), C O’Connor for C O’Driscoll (55).
D O’Brien; M Murphy, B Murphy, G Murphy; S Foley, D Daly, N O’Shea, L O’Driscoll, C Hegarty; C Caplice, J Scally, C O’Hara; C Murray, B Murray, D Quaid.
K McFadden for D Daly(38), N Crowley for D Quaid (44), B Cahill for D Quaid (45), M Scally for L O’Driscoll (50).
B Murphy (Carrigtwohill).
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