U18 Womens
Evening Echo CWSSL U18 Division
Moneygourney, Sunday 1st November 2009, 2.00 p.m.
Douglas Hall 0 – 2 Ballincollig
Ballincollig got off the mark in the league with a good win and a strong team performance on one of the few games to survive the weekend. The goals came either side of half-time and the team can be proud of the manner in which they played and the clean sheet they secured.
The first goal came about twenty minutes in and it was Siobhan Hogan who stuck it in after a tussle in the box from a corner. Such was the melee and the angle at which the ball hit the net that no-one was sure that she had actually scored. Siobhan will have to score more goals in future to make up for the very poor celebration after her goal. The thing is to score more goals and then your team-mates can practice celebrating with you each time. Ballincollig’s second goal was scored by Melissa Rodias. She collected the ball in midfield from an Amy Wilson pass and upon reaching the eighteen yard box let fly. The net bulged and Siobhan probably felt a little hard done by given the celebration that followed.
The Hall were in this game for periods and had their chances but Ellen Jackson pulled off fine saves when asked to do so. Ballincollig adapted to the all-weather pitch admirably and fully deserved the three points on the day. Best for Ballincollig were Lisa O’Shea, Rebecca O’Riordan and Trish Murphy.
Senior Team sponsored by Ballincollig Shopping Centre
FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup 1st Round
Glasheen Park, Saturday 31st October 2009, 2.30 p.m.
Glasheen 0 – 2 Ballincollig
A good win for the Senior team on a heavy underfoot pitch that sees them into the next round of the Intermediate Cup to face Mallow United at home. The previous fixture was abandoned because of an injury sustained to Rob Quinn but the managers and players were delighted to see him at the match supporting his team-mates. Once again everyone at the club would like to wish Rob a speedy and complete recovery.
The away team started well and went at Glasheen from the start. After 15 minutes a great cross from Richard O’Brien found Jason Murphy but his header was saved by the Glasheen keeper. The next chance fell to Christy O’Brien who went through one on one with the keeper but was denied by another great save. A smart move between Ian Roche and Daniel Murphy resulted in a shot for Murphy that hit the crossbar, bounced on the line and came back out. It’s a pity there wasn’t a certain linesman from a 1966 World Cup final there to tell the referee what to do. Ballincollig’s defence were playing very well and Michael O’Sullivan in goal had very little to do. The half-time whistle blew with the game scoreless but Glasheen started the second half determined to change that.
They enjoyed several chances but Mickey Sullivan was more than equal to their efforts. With Ballincollig going for the game Glasheen were dangerous on the break but the Ballincollig back line were in no mood to concede anything. The midfield four were dominant and the front two caused the Glasheen defence all sorts of problems. The inevitable came with 15 minutes to go when Anthony Ryan crossed for Richard O’Brien to turn and shoot with his left leg low into the corner. The second followed soon after when down the same wing Christy O’Brien crossed for brother Richard to turn and shoot with his right leg high into the net.
Glasheen threw everything they had including the kitchen sink, plug and soap in an effort to find an equaliser in the last ten minutes but it was to no avail. A complete team performance will have the management satisfied but some results like this are needed in the league. The league has to wait though as Mallow look to block Ballincollig’s progress into the next round.
O35s’ Team
MSL Beamish Stout Over 35s’ Premier League
The Mardyke, Friday 23rd October, 7.00 p.m.
Ballincollig 2 – 0 Wembley
A great start for the O35s with a fully deserved victory that has them top of the table. A goal in each half did the business for the ‘Collig. The first goal came twenty minutes in. Some great work down the right between Noel Hogan and Pat O’Driscoll resulted in a cross that Derek Mellerick put away with ease. The second goal came a quarter of an hour into the second half. This time it was Mellerick who turned provider and Pat Driscoll the finisher. Wembley tried to get back into the game but couldn’t find their way past a well marshaled Ballincollig backline. It’s early days yet but it’s always nice to start the season off with a win.
U16 Schoolgirls
Evening Echo CWSSL U16 Division 1
Ballea Park, Saturday 25th October 2009, 2.00 p.m.
Carrigaline United 0 – 1 Ballincollig
Before this game Carrigaline were on top of the league with a 100% record. After this game it’s Ballincollig who are top with a well deserved away win on an artificial all-weather pitch in what was a tight game.
Niamh Coughlan in goal fully deserved her clean sheet over the 90 minutes but it was a complete team performance. Scoreless at half time the decisive moment came from a set-piece. Amy Wilson swung in the ball from the corner only for Carrigaline to defend it. The clearance found Wilson again and she made no mistake rifling the ball into top corner. As good a goal as you’ll see anywhere.
It’s hard to pick out individuals but Eva Murphy, Caroline Kelly and Melissa Roadis played very well. It’s early in the season yet but the view from up top is definitely a pretty one.
Junior Team sponsored by Four Star Pizza
Murphy’s Irish Stout AUL Premier A
Clashduv Road, Saturday 24th October 2009, 2.40 p.m.
Pearse Celtic 3 – 0 Ballincollig
On a uniquely landscaped pitch where the wind would have given a sailing boat enough speed to make its way around the world and back before teatime Ballincollig went down to an eager Pearse Celtic.
The game started at a frantic pace but Ballincollig found it difficult to adapt to the conditions, which by no means made free flowing football easy. Pearse should have taken the lead on the half hour mark but as Ballincollig are learning it doesn’t matter how many chances you have. It only matters how many goals you score.
At half-time it was honours even and it wasn’t until ten minutes in that the first goal came. Before that John Kelleher had a lob go past the wrong side of the bar. Tom Ross was doing well up front holding up the ball and winning throws and corners. However the Pearse right winger who had looked dangerous all game finally beat the offside trap. The Ballincollig line and defenders protested but the ref said that the goal stood. Before proceeding it must be said that Jamo was looking well on the sideline particularly on 52 minutes and also 66 minutes- what a man.
Substitutions were made to introduce fresh legs and some new thinking but the goals came at the other end. One a free header and the other a counter attack. Ballincollig had chances to secure a consolation in the final few minutes but John Kelly’s lob didn’t find the net
Junior Team sponsored by Four Star Pizza
Murphy’s Irish Stout AUL Premier A
Leeds Park, Sunday 18th October 2009, 10.45 a.m.
Leeds 4 – 1 Ballincollig
This was a depleted Ballincollig outfit even with several players from the Youths called up to fill the ranks on a chilly Sunday morning on the North side. The score line is a bit unfair to Ballincollig given the overall performance but life and football isn’t about getting what you deserve.
Both teams competed very well but it was the home side who took the lead around the twenty minute mark. However, Ballincollig struck back immediately through Tom Ross who got his second goal in as many games. The previous goal may have simply been a case of being in the right place at the right time but this one was emphatic. A rocket from outside the box straight after the restart to typify the spirit that Ballincollig teams regularly display.
Ballincollig almost took the lead on 35 minutes through Cyril Quinn who was doing his best to copy Ross only to see his effort fly over the bar. Leeds were in no mood to let anyone away with a win on their home patch and had a few chances of their own. Both sides went into the break with one goal apiece.
John Kelly and Niall Murphy (Leeds) race for the ball
Photo from Billy Lyons’s Blog
It was a tough competitive game but it was played fairly. It was Leeds who got the decisive goal though on 70 minutes. They followed it up with two more to seal the victory. Best for Ballincollig were Brian O’Donovan, Chris Kelly making his return from injury and Trevor Murphy.
Youths Team
FAI Umbro Youths Cup 2nd Round
Lakewood Park, Saturday 17th October 2009, 3.00 p.m.
Lakewood Athletic 0 – 1 Ballincollig
Ballincollig had played the same opposition the previous week in the league and been on the wrong end of a three – one score line. With a full squad to choose from the ‘Collig secured a deserved victory in a hotly contested Cup tie.
The home team took the game to their local rivals from the start and dominated the opening ten minutes; their right midfielder having the best of the chances with a volley that went the wrong side of the post. After the initial flurry Ballincollig began to settle into the game with Damien McEvoy causing the Lakewood back four all sorts of problems. His link-up play was excellent and more than once he picked out a telling pass. Another stand out player for Ballincollig was Mark Walsh whose work rate and fitness made a massive difference. A tackle at the halfway line when the ball was already going out of play to win Ballincollig a throw typified his performance. Lakewood had two great chances before half time but Gavin Hennigan was equal to their efforts and fully deserved his clean sheet over the course of the game. Their shots were constantly blocked by the keeper who is a leaper – doubtless, he can also make things rhyme better than this writer can.
Arron Cooney shepherding the ball
While it would be fair to say that Ballincollig overall had come off second best in the first half it was a completely different story after the restart. The green and white constantly threatened and broke through the home defence but couldn’t seem to find the net. Arron Cooney and Mark Walsh both had great chances before the goal came on the hour mark. Damien McEvoy collected the ball on the half-way line. He found the space to turn and release a pass for Mark Walsh to run onto. The chasing defenders couldn’t catch him and he drilled it low past the keeper to give his side the lead. Conor Leonard had two chances in the space of two minutes but neither could find the net. Damien McEvoy and Arron Cooney also feeling they should have gotten on the score sheet.
There was a fear that Ballincollig would rue all the missed chances as Lakewood pushed hard to find the equalizer and take the game to extra time. The best they could manage were long range shots that went over the bar. Ballincollig kept possession well in the closing minutes and could have had another goal but in the end it was the solitary score that separated the two teams.
See more pictures from this game here
U17s Team
FAI Umbro U17 Cup 2nd Round
Regional Park, Sunday 18th October 2009, 3.00 p.m.
Ballincollig 1 – 3 Glounthane United
The Under 17s made their exit from the National Cup despite taking the lead and dominating the game for long periods. The goal came from Kevin Hyland. He chested the ball down and with a beauty of a long range effort he made the net bulge. He was Ballincollig’s best player on the day and it was his loss on 55 minutes due to injury that enabled Glounthane to come back into the game. They got the equalizer with twenty minutes remaining and bagged their place in the third round with two more goals after that. Phillip Quinn and Paul Donovan also played well for Ballincollig.
Premier Team sponsored by Four Star Pizza
Lucozade Sport Munster Junior Cup 1st Round
Regional Park, Saturday 3rd October 2009, 3.00 p.m.
Ballincollig 0 – 3 Bohemians
The score line does a disservice to Ballincollig as they were well in contention for most of this game but tiredness crept in and mistakes were punished in the last fifteen minutes. There was no sign of nerves among the home team as they took the game to the visitors showing composure at the back and opened them up with some neat passing. The final product was often lacking though as shots on goal didn’t manage to find the target. The best chance falling to Pa’ Flanagan who hit the post with a curling free-kick:
The centre half pairing of Michael Gallahue and Emmet Campion were well on top with full-backs Trevor Murphy and Tom Ross always providing the outlet for a counter attack as the home team dominated the opening exchanges. At half time it was nil all and Ballincollig were confident of pushing on to win the game however it wasn’t to be.
A Ballincollig free-kick resulted in a counter attack where the pace of the Bohemians striker took him past the chasing defender and he finished well into the bottom corner. Ballincollig sought to find the equaliser but were once again undone with a counter attack when a cross to the back post gave the Bohemians midfielder all the time in the world to head it into the net. There was some great skill and trickery shown by Ballincollig’s right flank which resulted in a Noel Hogan chance that just went the wrong side of the post following some nice interplay between him and Tom Ross. The third goal was the result of a mix-up in communication and a tap-in to an empty net.
There can be some pride in this performance despite the result. Pa’ Flanagan showed some wonderful touches. John Kelly also played very well both up front and later on the right side of midfield. With a bit more effort at training the luck will change and the goals and wins will start to come.
Senior Team sponsored by Ballincollig Shopping Centre
MSL Beamish Stout Senior Premier Division
The Farm, Saturday 3rd October 2009, 3.00 p.m.
Ballincollig 1 – 3 Everton
Ballincollig will definitely feel that they should have taken more from this game but having an Irish junior international in your team will always be a telling difference.
The game took a while to get flowing and the first real chance fell to the home team when Anthony Ryan played Jason Murphy through. In the race between Murphy and the Everton keeper it was the latter who got to the ball first. The rebound fell to Ian Roche and his spectacular overhead effort fell just the wrong side of the post.
Ballincollig were made to rue that missed chance but it was a large slice of good luck that led to Everton taking the lead. The ‘Collig defence were trying to clear thier lines when the ball fell to the Everton winger. His shot took a wicked deflection that left Brian O’Donovan with no chance. Cruelly, the away team got a second when a bounce in the box fell nicely for two Everton players. Both swung at it and while they may fight over who got the goal it meant the half time whistle blew with their team two goals to the good.
The second half started with Ballincollig determined to take the game to their opponents. Jason Muprhy led the charge and was through on goal only to be taken out of it by the Everton centre-half. The ref had no choice but to issue a red card and award a penalty. Unfortunately the Everton keeper decided to put in an early shout for save of the season and got down to keep ‘Collig scoreless.
A sucker punch came on the hour mark when a ball over the top found the Everton winger again in space and he made no mistake in taking his goal. Ballincollig couldn’t make the extra man count despite some chances but they did get a deserved goal when another penalty was given with ten minutes left. Christopher O’Brien took the responsibility and made no mistake as he put the keeper the wrong way.
Some would say that Everton deserved the win but Ballincollig will feel they should have taken at least a point from the game. The luck will change soon. The performances, with one exception, have been very good and it is only a matter of time before the points start to appear on the board.
