BY JJ HURLEY

A GRIPPING SE Systems Premier Intermediate Camogie final ended all square, 0-10 apiece, as Ballincollig and Ballygarvan produced a thrilling contest that went right to the wire.

Leading by three points with ten minutes remaining, Ballincollig looked to have one hand on the trophy, but Ballygarvan weren’t finished yet. Two points from Catriona Kelly reignited their challenge before Cliona O’Leary sent over a difficult free on 59 minutes to level the game.

Credit to both sides, who served up a wholehearted and entertaining battle from start to finish, keeping both sets of supporters on edge throughout, but Ballincollig’s wide tally in the first half did not help their cause. 

It was Ballygarvan who started brightest, with the lively Rachel O’Regan firing over inside the opening minute. Michaella Buckley then doubled their advantage after eight minutes from a Catriona Kelly pass.

Ballincollig responded strongly with three points in succession through Sorcha McCarthy, Olivia O’Leary, and the impressive Tara Goulding.

However, Ballygarvan regained the initiative when Kelly again turned provider, setting up Molly Kelleher to split the posts.

Ballincollig goalkeeper Ana Harnett was called into action soon after, producing the first of two superb first-half saves to deny Tara Crowley.

Ballygarvan pushed ahead on 18 minutes as Elle Kelleher and Haley Sweeney added fine points to make it 0-5 to 0-3 in favour of the Carrigdhoun side.

Tara Goulding narrowed the deficit on 27 minutes before McCarthy levelled soon after. A 45 from Kelly looked to have restored Ballygarvan’s lead before Keeley Goulding replied immediately, leaving the sides tied 0-6 apiece at the interval.

Kelly edged Ballygarvan ahead early in the second half, but Ballincollig soon took control. Points from Tara and Keeley Goulding put them in front, and another from the hard-working number eight Goulding made it 0-9 to 0-7 on 40 minutes.

Captain Linda Dorgan extended the lead to three with a fine effort on 43 minutes, but that would prove to be Ballincollig’s final score.

Ballygarvan, led by O’Leary and Kelly, refused to yield, and their late frees ensured a share of the spoils.

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.

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 and L Collins for O ‘Leary (38).

Referee: C Egan (Glen Rovers).