Carrigtwohill lined out with Colm Ó Murchú in goal; defenders Antoni Kadula (C), Adam Lane, Oscar Connolly, Lorcan Thornhill, Rian McGovern, and Charley O’Sullivan; a midfield trio of Ronan Doyle, Cesc Matarin, and Ajus Lepeska; and strong wide and attacking options in Ariel Lembelembe, John Buckley, Mati Majchrzak, Frank Krysiak, Chiemekam Emeakaroha, and Oscar Mazur.

The opening half was tight and competitive. Ballincollig broke through once with a dangerous attack, but Colm Ó Murchú produced an amazing low save to his left, keeping the game level.

They almost got in again shortly after, only for Cesc Matarin to produce a fantastic — and seemingly impossible — recovery tackle, somehow stretching to win a ball he had no right to reach. A game‑saving moment.

Ballincollig also threatened from a couple of corners, but Ronan Doyle and Antoni Kadula were superb in the air, clearing the danger with real authority.

Carrig themselves carried a real threat. They forced several dangerous corners, and a couple of teasing crosses created half‑chances. The best of these came when Mati Majchrzak made a strong run down the right and delivered an excellent cross to Frank Krysiak, whose effort was kept out by the Ballincollig keeper.

Despite the pressure, the breakthrough didn’t come, and the sides went in 0–0 at halftime.

Second Half

The second half followed a similar pattern — Carrig’s attacking players continued to threaten, while the defence held strong and dealt confidently with everything Ballincollig pushed forward.

Chiemekam Emeakaroha really came into his own after the break, constantly making dangerous runs in behind and stretching the Ballincollig back line. His persistence paid off on 40 minutes when he closed down the Ballincollig defenders, won the ball, and poked it in behind their back four before finishing coolly into the far bottom corner to give Carrigtwohill a deserved 1–0 lead.

Carrig continued to defend superbly as Ballincollig pushed for an equaliser. The game finished with one final dramatic moment when Colm Ó Murchú bravely came out for a 50/50 ball, winning it cleanly despite taking a knock — a huge, match‑saving intervention that ensured Carrig held on for the win.

Every one of the 16 players played their part in this win. The defenders were solid and disciplined, the midfield worked tirelessly to link play and win second balls, and the attacking players kept Ballincollig under pressure throughout. Whether starting or coming on, each player contributed to the intensity, work rate, and togetherness that defined the performance. It was a real squad effort — everyone played well and everyone helped deliver the result.

 

Goal

Joint Man of the Match — Chiemekam Emeakaroha & Colm Ó Murchú

Chiemy was outstanding in the second half, constantly threatening with his runs in behind and scoring the decisive goal through sheer work rate and quality. 

Colm produced two massive moments: a superb first‑half save low to his left, and a brave final 50/50 challenge that sealed the victory.

Both were immense — fully deserving of the joint award.