Small details pay big as Ballincollig bounce back

Emotional Ballincollig players celebrate their win: Picture Chani Anderson

After losing last year’s final, Ballincollig refused to give up, culminating in them reaching the summit of the Cork Premier IHC in Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday.

There were scenes of great joy when excellent captain and full-back James Dwyer raised the Séamus Long Cup.

“We met a couple of weeks after losing the county final and it was tough,” manager Eamonn Keating said.

“We had no qualms the better team did win. We made a pact among ourselves that we would drive on and that we’d come back here. We felt we had unfinished business.

“Then, at the start of the year when we met, I just asked the lads for an extra one or two percent and they’ve given it in every game.

“I think the experience stood to us. It’s all the small things, and they add up. We were quite relaxed coming in. Our bus actually got delayed, we got caught in traffic coming down Monahan Road, but that was fine. There was no panic.

“Ronan (Curran) spoke to the lads before we disembarked from the bus, just final instructions really. We were happy with our preparations. Just delighted we got the performance, especially the second half.”

They trailed 0-10 to 0-9 at the break, before taking control.

“There was no panic at half time, we were rushing things a small bit - if that makes sense - just overcooking passes and maybe hanging onto the ball that bit too long. I think the lads just went out in the second half and expressed themselves and that was the most pleasing thing.

“All we asked was to up it a small bit. We weren’t doing too much wrong. Just to be honest, and to come out and put everything on the line for the 30/35 minutes.” 

Ace attacker Brian Keating - son of the manager - was used as a late-game cameo due to injury, similar to the semi-final. He gave the team an instant lift.

“Brian came on and was instrumental in creating a goal chance, which Adam (Wills) took, and once we got the goal there was no doubt. It was just a question of pushing on and making sure that the job got finished.

“This means everything to be up senior. We are senior football. To be looking forward to 2027 and play senior hurling, it’s fantastic. Our underage is going well, our U15s won the Féile hurling for the first time in our club history.”