Ballinabrackey 1-8 Skryne 0-10

In a repeat of their final round of the league Saturday evening saw Ballinabrackey and Skryne go toe to toe once again. This time it was for the remaining place in the AFL League Final.

Both teams got off to a sluggish start not wanting to give either side the edge over each other. There was six minutes on the clock before there was a score in the game. Barry Thompson raised the green flag for The Bracks after he held off a number of Skryne defenders. It took Skryne a further four minutes before they found their first score of the game. Danny Quinn added to Ballinbrackey's tally before Skryne popped over their second for the half just before the break. The Bracks could have been counting themselves lucky at the break as Skryne had put at least six scoring opportunities wide of the post. Half-time Ballinabrackey led by Thompsons goal 1:02 to 0:02.

The second half started with much more flow to it. Skryne out of the blocks early getting the scoreboard ticking not evening a minute into the half. Danny Quinn followed it up with a point from play for Ballinabrackey. Skryne, who seemed to find their scoring boots at the break, slotted four without reply putting them in front for the first time in the game. Ballinabrackey weren't to be beaten though as Curry, Quinn and Carroll all added points for Ballinabrackey keeping their noses just in front. Skryne were quick to fire back, leveling up the game with two points of their own.You could cut the tension on the sideline as both sets of supporters willed their players on. A 45 for The Bracks saw Pluck racing up the field and slotting it over with ease. He was bearly back in his goals though as Skryne won their kick out and stormed up the field and put it over the black spot, level again. With injury time edging ever closer it was Ballinabrackey who had the ball when Chris O'Connor was fouled between the 45 and half way line. Quinn stood up slicing the ball and putting it wide, was that the winning point gone begging. As the clock ticked on and now into injury time it was nip and tuck from both teams not wanting to give each other an inch. Ballinabrackey were given one last chance when they were awarded a free in the dying stages of the game. Once again it was their number 1 Pluck who was called upon, strolling up the field, placing the ball and pointing it over with ease. Ballinabrackey edged it out by a point, setting up a League Final date with Summerhill Wednesday evening in Pairc Tailteann. 

Ballinabrackey: Dean Pluck (0:02 1 free, 1 '45'), Conor Ennis, Chris O'Connor, Adam O'Brien, Mark Coffey, Nicky Judge, Sean Fitzpatrick; Damien Carroll (0:01), Michael Kearney, Sean Coffey, David Carroll, Sean Bannon, Shay Curry (0:01 free), Danny Quinn (0:04 1 free), Barry Thompson (1:00). 

Subs: Niall Smullen for Sean Fitzpatrick (41 mins), Sean Kavanagh for Barry Thompson (41 mins),

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