Ballincollig AFC

Ballincollig 2 – 1Mallow United a.e.t.

On Saturday the 1st of May, Ballincollig hosted the top team of the premier division Mallow, at home in the quarter finals of the local cup. Having played Mallow twice previously in the league and on both occasions been beaten, this was an eagerly awaited fixture.

Both Ballincollig and Mallow started well with both teams trying to assert their game on the opposition. Ballincollig created the first chance of the game when Darren Murphy was unlucky with a left footed shot at the near post, which the Mallow keeper was lucky to save. Ballincollig began a period of dominance for the remainder of the first half with the best opportunity falling to Matthew Whelan who connected with a cross from a corner only for the Mallow keeper to make a brilliant point blank save. Mallows defence not for the 1st time managed to clear the ball from the resulting goalmouth scramble that followed. For all the good play half time came with the score deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half continued in the same vein with both teams looking for the vital opening score. A penalty was awarded following a hard tackle on one of Mallow’s players. Fortunately for Ballincollig the Mallow player put the penalty kick wide. Having been left off the hook, Ballincollig pressed hard for the remainder of the half with a number of chances falling to Darren Murphy & possibly the best chance going to Darren Forde who was unlucky to see his shot rebound off the post. Full time came with the teams still tied together.

Into extra time and the quality of soccer being played by both teams continued to be of a very high standard. Finally the break through came from a beautifully delivered corner. This time Mallows defenders failed to clear and Mark Walsh got the vital touch to put Ballincollig 1-0 up. Everyone thought that this was the breakthrough that would break the deadlock between the two teams. Regretfully this was not the case and all credit to Mallow they equalized within 2 minutes when a brilliantly saved slot by Shane Hogan rebounded to a Mallow player who took his opportunity well.

Tied again at 1-1 going into the 2nd period of extra time. Both teams again pushed hard to seal the victory knowing that penalties would be a lottery. With only 2 minutes left on the clock and Matthew Whelan & Darren Murphy now playing up front a ball over the top got Darren through and still with a lot to do, he kept a cool head and rounded the keeper before tapping the ball into the empty net.

The celebrations that followed by the players, coaches, parents & supporters would have embarrassed even Jose Mourinho. Somehow the ref played a further 5 minutes before the final whistle was eventually blown and all credit to Mallow they created a number of chances during this time only to find Collig unwilling to let their lead go for the 2nd time in the game.

Ballincollig’s defence were excellent on the day with Luke Fahy, Evan Kennefick, Shane O’ Neill & Eoin Reilly all playing brilliantly limiting Mallow to shots from outside the box. On the rare occasion where they failed to stop the shot Shane Hogan’s positional play & handling dealt with everything Mallow threw at us.

Darren Forde, Robert Bourke, Matthew Whelan & Mark Walsh were brilliant having been asked to vary their roles throughout the game. A particular mention to three players, Jack Smith, who having given his all playing up front on his own for most of the game, dropped back into midfield to mark Mallow’s danger man in the closing stages of the game. Matthew Whelan who despite carrying an injury kept going to the very end and to Darren Murphy who recently returned from injury and is again starting to find his form.

The coaches & players would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported the team on the day & we look forward to your continued support throughout the remainder of the season.