Ballinagh reach Intermediate Championship Final

Ballinagh overcame their semi-final challenge at the second attempt on Saturday last 23rd September against a gallant Ballyhaise side on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-7 in favour of the Ballinagh men.

Ballinagh who were denied a place in the Intermediate final on the previous Saturday from a last minute controversial free completed their task on Saturday with a fine performance in front of a large attendance at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Ballinagh started exceptionally well flying into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after just eight minutes.The goal coming from the penalty spot after a David Finnegan attempt came of the very top of the post and down into the area were Ballinagh captain Adrian Maguire was wrestled to the ground.Adrian's brother Pauric dually set up and cooly slotted the kick low into the left corner of the net.

Two Colin Gumley frees stretched Ballinagh's lead to 1-4 to 0-1 after seventeen minutes before Ali Pickett brought the lead down to four points after converting two frees.Colin Gumley and wing-half back Damien McInerney replied leaving six points between the sides approaching half-time.David Finnegan and Ali Pickett then exchanged points leaving the half-time score Ballinagh 1-7 to Ballyhaise's 0-4.

Ballyhaise got the opening score of the second half with a fine point from Raymond Cullivan and it took Ballinagh ten minutes to register their first score of the second half with a point from star man Colin Gumley.Ballyhaise began to press in search of a much needed goal and Eamon Costello provided this with a great goal after starting the move in his own half.He received the ball in the Ballinagh box from a Pickett pass and rolled the ball passed Daragh McCarthy into the Ballinagh net.The score now 1-8 to 1-4.

Stephen Smith added a point for Ballyhaise to leave only a goal between the sides.Ballinagh then grabbed another point from the boot of Paul Galligan before Ballyhaise got two points leaving just two points between the teams.With just one minute of normal time remaining Daragh McCarthy produced a spectacular save to deny Ali Pickett netting Ballyhaise's second goal.As the game moved into additional time Colin Gumley made sure of the win with two scores of both feet and Ballinagh had successfully got over the semi-final hurdle.

Drumalee now face Ballinagh in the final to be contested on Sunday the 8th of October in Kingspan Breffni Park in what should be a fantastic dual between two great rivals.Drumalee will be looking to put right last years final loss while Ballinagh will look to avenge their defeat by Drumalee in last years quater final.

Team: Daragh McCarthy; Anthony Duffy; Conor Brady; Nial O'Reilly; Damien McInerny(0-1); Anthony Gaynour; Pauric O'Reilly; Kian McDermott; Pauric Maguire(1-0); Terry Smith; David Finnegan(0-1); Enda Brady; Colin Gumley(0-8); Adrian Maguire; Paul Galligan(0-1)
Subs: Alan Durkin for Adrian Maguire; Ruari Brennan for Enda Brady; Declan Beard for Terry Smith; Kevin Smith for Ruari Brennan