Goals the difference as Ballinamore squeeze the life from Fenagh in tense encounter

A goal in either half and a suffocating and highly efficient display from Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins saw them squeeze the life out of neighbours Fenagh St Caillins in their semi-final replay in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, the victors reaching the decider for the second year in a row.

Clinically dispatched goals from Michael McKiernan in the first half and Tom Prior in the second were ultimately the difference on the scoreboard but the manner in which Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins controlled this contest for all but sporadic spells against an injury hit Fenagh St Caillins meant this game felt all but over before Prior grabbed his goal eight minutes from time.

O'Heslins' dominance of the midfield battle and their ability to spread the ball meant that Fenagh St Caillins' defence was exposed far too often with the pace and movement of McKiernan, Brian Leydon, Paul Honeyman and the Moran brothers particularly effective in dragging them around the field while Fenagh were just unable to muster the momentum they needed in attack to trouble Ballinamore.

Ryan O'Rourke tried manfully to spark Fenagh into life but time and time again, the Fenagh captain found himself with two or three defenders for company, Ballinamore effectively getting support back while Fenagh just weren't able to get sufficient bodies up in support of their sharpshooters.

Ballinamore are back in the final after their heartbreak loss on their home pitch at the hands of Mohill, the drama of two games, extra-time and penalties making it a unique occasion but they now face a Leitrim Gaels side who have been seen as favourities since early in the year, a real clash of the titans next Sunday!

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Fenagh got off to a quick start, Ryan O'Rourke gathering a lovely Oisin McLoughlin pass, the Fenagh captain turned sharply to fire over a beauty after a minute. A foul on Brian Leydon allowed Paul Honeyman draw the sides almost instantly and a sign of things to come came when Paul Moran worked his way in from the wing but dragged a great goal chance wide of the far post in a let-off for Fenagh.

But the scores were coming easier for Ballinamore, Shane Moran and another Honeyman free within a minute saw them go two clear and with both sides missing chances, it looked as if we were in for a tense and tight encounter when Ryan O'Rourke finished off a patient Fenagh move with a point.

But from that kickout, Ballinamore broke with Michael McKiernan streaking forward - nobody could get near him as he soloed through and produced a wonderful finish to the Fenagh net after just 12 minutes. Paul Moran added a point that looked as if it was a two-pointer but only the white flag was raised and Paul Honeyman converted his third free of the half after 18 minutes.

Oisin McLoughlin curled a wonderful effort in, although some disputed that it was inside the near side post, to cut the gap to five points but with Ballinamore adding a few wides, Tom Prior steadied them with a strong run across the field before cutting sharply back to curl a fine effort over the bar.

Fenagh ended the half with a mini-surge, Ryan O'Rourke making a great catch from a Riordan O'Rourke long pass to score before Fergal McLoughlin pointed after a good run, leaving Ballinamore with a 1-6 to 0-5 halftime lead. Fenagh brought on Ruairi O'Rourke and Aaron McLoughlin at the break for Tom Gilheany & Colm McLoughlin in a bid to kick-start their challenge and it seemed to work.

Aaron McLoughlin made a great block in defence and charged forward, eventually winning a free converted by Ryan O'Rourke. Honeyman hit his fourth free after four minutes while Donal Wrynn replied with a successful 50 but Fenagh were struggling to break down Ballinamore's defence, Paul Honeyman twisting and squeezing his way through four or five Fenagh defenders to hit his first from play after 41 minutes.

Fenagh were trying to generate something but Ballinamore were holding them off with McKiernan stretching their lead to six points with just over 11 minutes left. Ryan O'Rourke pulled back a point after a good move but Tom Prior answered, Matthew Murphy's run setting the score up.

Prior provided the killer score with eight minutes left - McKiernan and Shane Moran combined to charge through the Fenagh defence before playing a ball over the top to Tom Prior who squeezed between two defenders to drive the ball to the net, securing Ballinamore's place in next Sunday's final.

That more or less killed the game, Fenagh replying with points from Riordan & Ryan O'Rourke but as they had all day, Ballinamore matched them with points from Keelan McHugh and sub Luke Murphy to complete an impressive victory.

BALLINAMORE SEAN O’HESLINS

Scorers: Paul Honeyman 0-5, 4f; Tom Prior & Michael McKiernan (tp) 1-2 each; Shane Moran, Paul Moran, Luke Murphy & Keelan McHugh 0-1 each

Team: Darren Maxwell, Conor Moran, Brian Banks, Matthew Murphy, Michael McBrien, Donal Feely, Cathal McHugh, Shane Moran, Wayne McKeon, Paul Moran, Michael McKiernan, Keelan McHugh, Tom Prior, Paul Honeyman, Brian Leydon. Subs: Paddy Connaughton for C Moran (36); Naoise McManus for Leydon (40); Luke Murphy for K McHugh (58); Liam Ferguson for P Moran (62)

FENAGH ST CAILLINS

Scorers: Ryan O’Rourke 0-6, 3f; Donal Wrynn (50); Oisin McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke & Fergal McLoughlin 0-1 each

Team: Shane Doonan, James Gilheany, Donal Wrynn, Conal McGovern, Caillin O’Rourke, Mark Keegan, Eoin McLoughlin, Jack Gilheany, Colm McLoughlin, Tom Gilheany, Ryan O’Rourke, Oisin McLoughlin Dan McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke, Fergal McLoughlin. Subs: Aaron McLoughlin & Ruairi O’Rourke for T Gilheany & C McLoughlin (HT); Conor Dwyer for James Gilheany (53); Killian Mulvey & Dara Greenan for Jack Gilheany (62)

Referee: Vincent McMorrow