St Vincent’s book place in club final

St Vincent’s 2-14 Ballinderry 1-13

A typically frantic All-Ireland club semi-final has ended in victory for St Vincent’s, the Dublin champions surviving a fierce test from Ballinderry under the Newry floodlights.

The Marino men needed to call on all their experience, and nerve. Just a point ahead at half-time – with Ballinderry every bit as physical – the momentum swung back and forth until the end, with 1-8 from Mossy Quinn ultimately proving the difference.

Indeed points from Quinn, Diarmuid Connolly and Gavin Burke early in the second half looked to have given St Vincent's some daylight, before a smashing goal from Daniel McKinless on 48 minutes brought the Derry champions right back into it – reducing the gap to two points.

Yet St Vincent's still had enough in the tank to hold on, a free from Quinn and vital point from Ciaran Dorney, and Quinn and Connolly again, eough to keep their noses in front – and they will now face Castlebar Mitchels on St Patrick's Day, who enjoyed a surprise win over Kerry champions Dr Crokes in the other semi-final.

From the starting gun, St Vincent's hit full stride, hitting two goals inside the first 10 minutes to prove it. Quinn deftly finished the first, after a searing run from corner back Michael Concarr. Quinn then turned provider with a fantastic pass to Ciaran Dorney, who certainly made the most of the chance.

Another free from Quinn and the Dublin champions were six points up, 2-2 to 0-2. That set the wake-up call for Ballinderry, who suddenly dominated possession and closed out of the half with a series of points from Coilin Devlin, and another from Ryan Bell, reducing the gap to just one-point at the break, 2-4 to 0-9, leaving it all to play or the in the second half.