Ballinamere let off the hook by Belmont in Offaly SHC semi-final

Brian Duignan's Ballinamere are through to another Offaly SHC final

Ballinamere will face four-in-a-row chasing Kilcormac/Killoughey in the Offaly SHC final for the second time in three years after holding on for a 4-18 to 3-19 victory over Belmont at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park yesterday.

Sean Treacy’s charges looked to be coasting when goals from Brian Duignan, Dan Bourke, Mike O’Brien and Aaron Maher helped them to a 4-14 to 2-13 lead after 42 minutes. But then an Oisín Kelly major sparked Belmont into life and they got back to within a point through scores from Paddy Clancy, David Kelly and David Nally, despite missing a host of frees into the wind.

Crucially, Sam Bourke replied, as did Brian Duignan from a late free after Adam Egan had reduced the deficit to the minimum again, as the 2024 runners-up got out of jail.

The other semi-final on Saturday was also a thrilling affair which saw an Adam Screeney-inspired Kilcormac/Killoughey overcome St Rynagh’s by 1-34 to 2-23 after extra-time.