Second half fightback sends Ballinderry into All-Ireland final

Ballinderry 0-11

Austin Stacks 0-7

A controlled second half saw Ballinderry deservedly book their place in next weekend’s All-Ireland final with victory over Munster champions Austin Stacks.

The Shamrocks were four points down at half-time, generally wasteful in front of the posts and lost Shea Coleman and Niall O’Donnell to injury.

With Ryan O’Neill keeping tabs on Paddy Lane, with Oisin Duffin shutting down the goal threat of Cian Purcell and with Darren Lawn again their playmaker, Ballinderry were always in the game.

It was substitute Daniel McKinless who made the biggest impact. He hit a point from play, scored an advanced mark, won a free, made two assists and was involved in another Ballinderry move for a score. That’s more than half the Ulster champions’ total.

Austin Stacks were without injured Kerry player Joe O’Connor but welcomed Dylan Casey back from the injury that kept him out of the Munster final.

Conor O’Neill had the ball over the bar early in the game but after Charlie Crozier kicked them head at 0-2 to 0-1, they didn’t score for the next 33 minutes.

They did have chances but lacked the composure to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Worse still, when Daniel Kirby was black carded, they failed to make the extra man count in the 10-minute spell before half-time.

Casey and Lane put the Stacks 0-4 to 0-2 ahead with latter having a slight sniff of goal until Aron Mullan faced in to help Ryan O’Neill close the space.

Shea Coleman picked up an injury on the throw-in and was replaced with O’Donnell forced off midway through the half. Ballinderry didn’t panic and, if anything, grew into the game from that point on.

It was the 40th minute before they managed a third point, Darren Lawn finishing after a neat team move.

It was the start of a purple patch with Daniel McKinless at its centre. Lawn kicked for Conor O’Neill to score after a neat turn.

Points from Ryan Bell and Gareth McKinless had the sides level, 0-5 all, after 45 minutes.

The game had turned by that point. Ballinderry were on song in all areas with Ruairi Forbes pushing them onto the front foot with runs thought the middle third.

Daniel McKinless punished a Tralee defensive error with a pass that made a point for Ryan Bell and Ballinderry went ahead, this time, they weren’t to be reeled in.

There was a point on the breakaway from Dylan Casey but Bell, Crozier (f) and Daniel McKinless (m) put Ballinderry on their way to Croke Park.

They play Crossmolina in Sunday’s All-Ireland final (4.30pm), hoping to follow in the footsteps of Cullyhanna from last season.

ScorersBallinderry: Conor O’Neill 0-3 (1f), Charlie Crozier (2f), Daniel McKinless (1m), Ryan Bell 0-2 each, Darren Lawn and Gareth McKinless 0-1 each

Austin Stacks: Paddy Lane (1f), Daniel Kirby, Dylan Casey 0-2 each and Joey Nagle 0-1

Ballinderry: Ben McKinless; Aron Mullan, Oisin Duffin, Ryan O’Neill; Eoin Devlin, Gareth McKinless, Ruairi Forbes; Niall O’Donnell, Charlie Crozier; Tiarnán Rocks, Conor O’Neill, Shea McCann; Darren Lawn, Ryan Bell, Shea ColemanSubs: Daniel McKinless (0-2, 1m) for Coleman (INJ 34), Jack Bell for O’Donnell (INJ 40), Eoin McCracken for Mullan (60), Matt Quinn for D Lawn (60)Yellow cards: N O’Donnell (15), D Lawn (30), A Mullan (51)

Austin Stacks: Michael Tansley; Colin Griffin, Dylan Casey, Joey Nagle; Ronan Shanahan, Jack O’Shea, Paul O’Sullivan; Michael O’Donnell, Armin Heinrich; Fiachna Mangan, Greg Horan, Daniel Kirby; Cian Purcell, Shane O’Callaghan, Paddy LaneSubs: Eoghan Carroll for O’Callaghan (39), Luke Casey for O’Donnell (47), Darragh O’Brien for Mangan (47), Colm Browne for O’Sullivan (51), Jordan Kissane for Lane (54)

Black card: D Kirby (20)

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)