Ballincollig RFC advances into the Martin O’Sullivan Cup Final

The 1st XV traveled to Dungarvan and had to play them in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup Semi Final on Sunday 27th April.
The Munster branch rescheduled the match for a 12.30 PM Kick Off in order to give everyone a chance to watch the Munster HEC Semi Final against Toulon.

Straight from the kick off both teams showed great intentions to win this match. But it took home side 20 minutes before they recorded the first score of the match, a try which was left unconverted.
The visitors, however, replied immediately and Denis Casey scored a well worked try just 3 minutes later.
Both gave everything to come up on top for the rest of the first half, but couldn’t generate any proper scoring chance. This left the half time score 5 point a piece.

5 minutes into the second half Ballincollig was awarded with a penalty and Richard Dineen stepped up to convert it.
But Dungarvan didn’t have to wait long to get the same chance presented and the converted penalty left the sides level on 8 points.
Ballincollig took the initiative from the restart and worked their way closer and closer to the Dungarvan try line. This great effort was finally rewarded when Francois Olivier dived over from close range. the conversion was missed, however.
The visitors kept possession from the restart intelligently and worked their way forward once again. Suddenly an opportunity opened and replacement John White made a clean break deep into the opponents 22.
The home side was caught on their back foot and the defense was in disarray at the hour mark, leading to a try scored by Richard Dineen in the far corner, due to a quick recycle of the ball and beautiful quick hands.

Dungarvan tried their best to get back into the game and was finally rewarded with a try in the 75th minute when the worked the ball out wide and caught the Ballincollig defense outnumbered.
But this was not good enough and Ballincollig kept the possession wisely for the reminder of the game in order to secure the win.

Ballincollig RFC will have to play Douglas RFC in the Final now.
However, at this moment in time it is not entirely clear when where the final will take place.
We will keep you posted on our website, Facebook and Twitter on any developments.

Full Time Result : Dungarvan RFC 13 – Ballincollig RFC 18