There will be a new name on the Andy Scannell Cup after Ballincollig and Carbery Rangers reached their first Cork senior football championship final after impressive semi-final wins in wretched conditions at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday.
Ballincollig stunned former champions Nemo Rangers by 2-10 to 0-9 in the first game and Rangers, from Rosscarbery, easily defeated 14-man Bishopstown by 2-17 to 1-7 in the other semi-final.
Two goals in quick succession inside the opening 10 minutes helped Ballincollig settle. Cian Dorgan poked home the first before John Kelly, brother of Cork star, Patrick, slotted in the second for a 2-4 to 0-4 half-time lead.
Ballincollig recovered their composure after a sluggish start to the second-half, when they hit four wides in quick succession out of their final tally of 11. Nemo cut the deficit to four points, but Ballincollig regained control.
Nemo finished with 14 players, centre-back Alan Cronin shown a black card after he had been shown a yellow moments earlier and Ballincollig finished in style, scoring the last three points.
Bishopstown, who led by 1-6 to 1-5 at half-time, suffered with the dismissal of Cork defender Jamie O’Sullivan, who was shown a black card and a yellow card just before the break.
Carbery Rangers completely dominated the second-half for an emphatic victory, highlighted by a stunning second goal from substitute Brian Hodnett seven minutes from the end. Bishopstown could only add further point in the second-half.
The final will be played at the same venue on Sunday week.