2005 All-Ireland club champions Ballina Stephenites withstood a late bout of pressure from Tourlestrane of Sligo to make it through (1-8 to 1-4) to this year's Connacht club SFC final. Ballina were at their best in the first half at the end of which they led by 1-3 to 0-3 after left half back Shane Sweeney goaled in fine style. The hosts laboured though in their attempts at finding the jugular although by the midway point of the second half they looked comfortable in being four points in front. However the visitors nabbed a penalty ten minutes from time when Gerry McGowan rammed home a penalty after being fouled himself. Ballina now led by just a single point but they went into overdrive to surge ahead with points from Paul McGarry, David Brady and Patrick Harte which sealed the issue in their favour. Tweet

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