Gaeil Colmcille dug out a minimum margin win over Clann na nGael in the second IHC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.
Gaeil Colmcille ....... 3-10
Clann na nGael ...... 1-14
The Kells-men face Na Fianna in the final while their Athboy-An Gaeltacht opppnents must settle for another year at second tier level.
Ultimately, three goals at crucial points in the game settled matters. The third arrived in the 53rd minute broke the stalemate for the final time with Dylan Roche deftly kicking to the net at the town end.
That left it 3-9 to 1-14. In the time remaining Clann na nGael couldn't prolong their interest in the championship.
A third quarter Gaeil Colmcille surge had a significant impact on the outcome. Ahead by 1-7 to 0-9 at the interval, they moved five points clear by the 38th minute with Keith Reilly's goal central in this phase.
Five points down heading into the final third of the hour, Clann na nGael rallied to regain parity by the 48th minute with the experienced Gary Cole getting the goal.
Clann na nGael managed to briefly hit the front through sub Killian Swaine. That left it 1-13 to 2-9 after 49 minutes. An Aaron Ennis free doubled their advantage. There was to be one more swing in the pendulum and Dylan Roche's goal was central to it.
Clann na nGael's cause in a stirring contest wasn't helped with the 58th minute dismissal of Gary Mangan with the outcome still in the balance.
The Athboy-Gaeltacht side wasted no time before hitting the front through Gearoid Breathnach. Clann na nGael quickly responded through Eamon O Donnchadha. It left the scores tied for the first of three times on the opening 10 minutes.
The Kells-men made a big break around the midpoint of the half. Having regained the lead through a Stephen Reddy free, the Kells-men struck for the opening goal through their number 13.
Gaeil Colmcille led by four points on twice in the first 16 minutes. Clann na nGael came mofre into matters in the second quarter. Eamon O Donnchadha brought this tally to four from play before the break.
Gaeil Colmcille's top scorer posted 1-3 in the first-half but was wide with a close range as the opening 30 mintues drew to a close. However, the miss didn't affect the outcome.
Gaeil Colmcille - Conor Murray; Jordan Muldoon, Michael Foley, Darren Tormay; Daniel Muldoon, Barry Smith (0-1), Paul Tormay; Evan Sheridan (0-1), Liam Ferguson (0-2); Dylan Roche (1-1), Fionn Ferguson, Keith Reilly (1-2); Stephen Reddy (1-3, 0-3fs), Barry Tormay, Gary McGovern. Subs - Seamus Mattimoe for McGovern (38), James Hennigan for B Tormay (46), John Murray for Muldoon (55)
Clann na nGael - Darren Heaney; Jack Doherty, Luke Swaine, Aaron Doherty; Gerard O'Sullivan, Garry Mangan (C), Ciaran Fitzsimons (0-1); John Farrell (0-1), Darragh Brogan; Calum O'Sullivan, Aaron Ennis (0-5 fs), Eamon O Donnchadha (0-4); Gary Cole (1-0), Gearoid Breatnach (0-1), Sean O'Reilly. Subs - John O'Sullivan (0-1) for O'Reilly (30), Killian Swaine (0-1) for Brogan (42)
Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels)