Eglish Come Up Short In All Ireland Semi

Monday 01.12.2025

All Ireland Series

Ballincollig proved just too strong for a brave Eglish side in an absorbing All-Ireland semi-final, despite a battling performance from the Tyrone champions and some heroic individual displays.

The Cork outfit burst out of the traps, racking up early scores from Tara Goulding, Keeley Goulding and Linda Dorgan before Eglish settled into their rhythm. Points from Cliodhna Goodfellow and Reagan Fay, including a brilliant 45 that dipped perfectly under the bar, dragged the Ulster champions right back into contention. Eglish kept fighting through second-half scores from sub Sienna Gildernew and another free from Fay, but Ballincollig’s accuracy from frees and open play kept their noses in front. Points from Ailish Scanlon, Tara Goulding, and a late effort from Izzy Fleury ensured they always stayed one step ahead.

The Eglish defence, however, was immense under pressure. Catherine Muldoon was simply outstanding, turning over possession, driving out of trouble and repeatedly shutting down Ballincollig attacks. Her performance was one of the highlights of the day. Eglish fought to shift momentum but Ballincollig’s power lines, particularly their superb Leah Weste named Player of the Match and their scoring efficiency proved decisive.

This Eglish side showed massive heart and no shortage of quality. While the result wasn’t theirs after two tight games with Crossmaglen, there is every reason to believe they will be back on the big stage before long.

Result Eglish (1-6) Ballincollig (1-12)

Eglish: B. Horsfield, F. Farley, C. Muldoon, A. Donnelly, Shannon Gildernew, Grace Daly, K. Daly, L. Mason, C. Goodfellow(0-1), E. Holmes, O. Farley, K. Gallagher, , E. Hughes, R. Fay(1-4), R. McLoughlin, C. Gallagher,  Gemma Daly, L. Mackin, N. Donaghy, N. Donnelly, G. Devlin, Sienna Gildernew(0-1), L. Mason, A. Devlin, E. McCann, A. Byrne, K. Mackin, N. Daly, G. McKenna, A. Jordan Donnelly, H. Daly, A. M. Donaghy

Ballincollig: A. Hartnett, A. Cotter, M. Healy, C. O’Sullivan, O. Keating, L. Weste, E. Hickey, A. Scanlon(0-5), S. Heely, K. Goulding (0-1), L. Dorgan (0-3), O. O’Leary, S. McCarthy, T. Goulding(0-2), L. Hannigan ((1-0). M Lonergan, M O’Brien, M. Tarnaud, B. Cunliffe, R. Hannigan, I. Fleury (0-1), L. Cooper, L. Collins, S.-J. Burke, L. M. O’Farrell, E. McCarthy, E. Carew, K. O’Flynn, C. Lynch, E. Casey.