Killeshandra 1-10
Ballyhaise 0-10

A 38th minute goal from Tomas O'Reilly proved the major difference for Killeshandra this evening at Kingspan Breffni Park, where they upset Ballyhaise to book their place in the intermediate championship final.

Having led by just one at the halfway stage, Stephen King's team moved up a gear in the second-half and were galvanised by O'Reilly's major to see out victory with their backs working like Trojans to ensure that Ballyhaise wouldn't raise a green flag of their own.

Beaten finalists in 2008, Ballyhaise found themselves all too reliant on Stephen Smith's frees to keep themselves in contention in the second period, having matched the Leaguers for all their scorers, bar one, in the first-half.

In the final quarter, the losers dominated the in the possession stakes but couldn't turn it into profit as Killeshandra's sterling defence ensured the victory and a chance of a first Tommy Gilroy Cup success for the club since 1991.

Ballyhaise were on the scoreboard after 40 seconds thanks to a Stephen Smith free which was soon cancelled out by Tomas O'Reilly. Shane Murphy nearly found the net for Killeshandra minutes later but his shot was quickly smothered by the brave Rory Donnellan.

The latter O'Reilly would give the Leaguers their first lead in the seventh minute and a sweetly struck free from Declan McKiernan doubled their advantage by the 10th, with Ballyhaise tallying two wides at the other end before Smith and Shane McKiernan brought them level after cutting through the centre and tapping over twice in the space of three minutes.

Sean McKiernan nailed two fine points to outweigh a Padraig Moore single, leaving the Saffrons with their tails firmly up heading towards half-time, and despite Moore and Kevin Tierney raising two white flags towards the interval, points from Rory Braiden and Damien Higgins saw Stephen King's men go in at the interval 0-7 to 0-6 to the good.

A fine long range effort from Sean McCormack looked to set the tone for Ballyhaise, but they relied on Donnellan to get them out of jail five minutes into the resumption as he pulled off a fantastic save to deny Tomas O'Reilly the net. Three minute later, however, O'Reilly wouldn't be denied when he was sent through on a sizzling run by Braiden and netted low past the Ballyhaise net-minder.

A Smith free was the response, but Kit Henry's side weren't about to get anything cheap off stingy Killeshandra defence in the final quarter and when Eamon O'Reilly and Shane Murphy combined for the latter to send over the signs were very positive for the town side.

Smith struck a scoreable free wide, which would have brought the trailers back within two approaching the last 10 minutes. Henry sent on his fourth substitute in the form of Niall Costello soon after to try and sharpen his side's attack but it was their opposite numbers that were looking sharper, with McKiernan nailing a 40-metre free from the left flank to push the lead to four.

Goal opportunities were rare for Ballyhaise, as they struggled to pierce their opponents stubborn rear guard, and in the end they'd have to settle for frees from Smith and Tierney, with Austin Fitzpatrick all but wrapping up the win when he composed himself well for a point in the last minute of normal time to set-up an intriguing decider with surprise package Shercock next month.

Killeshandra: Joe Masterson; Conor Smith, Colm Duffy, Ciaran Owens; Rory Braiden (0-1), Austin Fitzpatrick (0-1), Damien Higgins (0-1); Aaron Brady, Tomas O'Reilly (1-1); Sean McKiernan (0-2), Dara Tighe, Eamon O'Reilly; Shane Murphy (0-1), Declan McKiernan (0-2, 2f), Shane O'Reilly (0-1). Subs: Kyle Duffy for E O'Reilly (59mins).

Ballyhaise: Rory Donnellan; Brendan Lyons, Sean McCormack (0-1), Shane Briody; Sean Fay, Barry Kelly, Fergal Slowey ; Conor Lyons, Stephen Smith (0-4, 3f); Kevin Tierney (0-2, 1f), Christy Reilly, Shane McKiernan (0-1); Colm Reilly, Padraig Moore (0-2), Francis Moore. Subs: Fiachra McGoldrick for B Kelly (26mins), Adam Boyle for B Lyons (HT), Barry McRudden for C Lyons (37), Don Gorby for C Reilly (40), Niall Costello for C Reilly (51).

Ref: Martin Brady (Ballinagh) Tweet

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