Ballincollig and Ballygarvan Must meet again

Ballincollig 0-10 Ballygarvan 0-10

( JJ Hurley)

Honours were even in a pulsating SE Systems Premier Intermediate Camogie Final as Ballincollig and Ballygarvan could not be separated after an absorbing hour that had drama to the last whistle.

Ballincollig appeared on course for victory when they opened up a three-point cushion entering the closing stages, but Ballygarvan produced a spirited finish.

Two fine efforts from Catriona Kelly reduced the margin before Cliona O’Leary held her nerve to convert a difficult free in the 59th minute, ensuring the sides shared the spoils.

Both teams deserve immense credit for serving up an end-to-end contest full of determination and skill. Ballincollig, however, were left to rue several missed chances in the opening half that ultimately proved costly.

Ballygarvan were quickest out of the blocks, with Rachel O’Regan splitting the posts inside the first minute. Moments later, Michaella Buckley doubled their advantage after a clever pass from Kelly.

Ballincollig soon settled, responding with three unanswered points courtesy of Sorcha McCarthy, Olivia O’Leary and the ever-dangerous Tara Goulding.

Ballygarvan hit back as Kelly again turned provider, setting up Molly Kelleher to fire over.

The Carrigdhoun side almost added a goal soon after, but Ballincollig goalkeeper Ana Hartnett produced a superb save to deny Tara Crowley, one of two excellent stops she made before the break.

Further points from Elle Kelleher and Haley Sweeney pushed Ballygarvan 0-5 to 0-3 in front on 18 minutes.

Tara Goulding cut the gap soon after, and McCarthy’s second point brought Ballincollig level. A well-struck ’45 from Kelly nudged Ballygarvan ahead once more, but Keeley Goulding responded immediately, leaving it 0-6 apiece at the break.

Kelly edged Ballygarvan back in front early in the second half, only for Ballincollig to take control.

Tara and Keeley Goulding both found their range, and another from the hard-working midfielder pushed them 0-9 to 0-7 clear by the 40th minute.

Captain Linda Dorgan extended the advantage to three with a fine effort shortly after, but it proved to be Ballincollig’s final score.

Refusing to yield, Ballygarvan rallied once more. Kelly’s accuracy and O’Leary’s late free drew them level, sealing a result that neither side could begrudge after an enthralling and evenly matched final.

The replay is provisionally fixed for next Friday, venue and time to be confirmed

Scorers:Ballygarvan: C. Kelly 0-4 (3f, 1 ’45), R. O’Regan, M. Buckley, M. Kelleher, E. Kelleher, H. Sweeney, C. O’Leary (F) 0-1 each.Ballincollig: K. Goulding 0-3 (2f), T. Goulding 0-3, S. McCarthy 0-2, O. O’Leary, Duggan 0-1 each.

Teams:

Ballygarvan: S. Ahern; S. Lyons, K. Dorney, E. Kelleher; A. Bowen, E. O’Regan, S. J. Brady; C. O’Leary, L. Casey; R. O’Regan, C. Kelly (C), M. Buckley; T. Crowley, M. Kelleher, H. Sweeney.Subs: E. Casey for E. Kelleher (45), S. A. O’Halloran for S. Lyons (58).

Ballincollig: A. Hartnett; A. Cotter, M. Healy, C. O’Sullivan; O. Keating, L. Weste, E. Hickey; K. Goulding, A. Scanlon; S. Healy, N. O’Brien, O. O’Leary; S. McCarthy, L. Dorgan (C), T. Goulding.Subs: B. Cunniffe for N. O’Brien, L. Collins for O. O’Leary (38).

Referee: C. Egan (Glen Rovers).

Hayley Sweeney breaks away from the close attentions of Ballincollig's defence in the SE Systems Camogie Premier Intermediate Final at Castle Road on Saturday/(Delores Kidney)