Ballincollig Under 17’s reach the League Final

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Ballincollig 28 pts Youghal 8 pts.

Ballincollig Under 17’s continued their quest for more silverware last Saturday with a league semi-final win away to Youghal.

Playing conditions were ideal but it was the home side who made the brighter start. Ballincollig failed to gather the start off and from the ensuing scrum and subsequent rucks Youghal spread the ball wide and went over unopposed after just minutes for the opening try of the game.

That certainly focussed the Ballincollig boys attention and they gained a stranglehold inside the opposition 22 . They won a lineout through Fionnán Mc Dermott and mauled their way to the line and Peter Kelleher touched down to open the scoring for Ballincollig after 16 mins to leave both teams tied at 5 each. Ballincollig pressure continued and they were awarded a penalty on the Youghal 22. Cameron Lucey duly obliged and added the 3 pts and gave Ballincollig a lead they were never to relinquish. Youghal fought hard and just on the stroke of half time they were awarded a penalty and converted to leave the sides level at 8 pts each.

On the resumption, Ballincollig with the aid of the breeze showed more intent, from a lineout they mauled forwarded, and Shane Quinlan took a pop ball at pace and was unstoppable as he crossed the whitewash to score his sides second try. This was followed shortly with a converted penalty by Cameron Lucey to lead by double scores 16 pts to 8. Ballincollig were now in the ascendency and the Youghal defence was creaking. Ballincollig constantly bombarded Youghal and Peter Kelleher took a ball on the run and scored his second try and Youghal’s resistance had now evaporated. As the final minutes were played out Youghal kicked a ball out of defence. It hopped outside their 22 and Scott Vaughan took it at blistering pace and jinked his way over the line to score his sides 4th try which was expertly converted by Aaron Flynn to leave the final score Ballincollig 28 Youghal 8.

It was a great team performance led by their captain Robert O’Donoghue who was ably assisted by Peter Kelleher, Dylan Desmond, Rob Nyhan, Mickey O’Shea, Humphrey O’Mahony , Fionnan Mc Dermott, James Kelleher, Daire Buckley, Cian O’Leary, Brian Verling, Cameron Lucey, Aaron O’Flynn, Dave Mc Coy Aaron Mc Namara, Cian Shanahan, Jack O’Sullivan and Shane Quinlan who again proved to be unstoppable from all areas.

Congratulations lads and best of luck in next weeks final against Dunmanway.