Ballinabrackey won the the IFC for the first time with a thrilling minimum margin win over Trim at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.

Ballinabrackey ........ 0-16
Trim ....................... 1-12

When the celebrations are over the club from the south-west corner of the county can prepare for their first SFC campaign. 

With the sun at their backs, Gordon McDonnell charges produced a storming second half display to claim the Mattie McDonnell Cup for the first time.

The Bracks seemed fitted and landed the title by outscoring Trim by 0-4 to 0-1 after the second water break. 

Ballinabrackey never led throughout the second-half until Danny Quinn's 58th minute free proved to be the last score of the game. 

Trim - who fell heavily to Nobber - in last year's IFC final passed up chances to prevail here, no more so than in second-half stoppage time when Kevin Nally's shot was stopped by Bracks' 'keeper Dean Pluck, who stood his ground against the Trim man's effort. 

From the rebound Aaron Lynch was off target and with it went Trim's chance of regaining senior status. Lynch was Trim's main marksman, landing scores from placed balls and open play. He scored five first-half points. He managed just two thereafter as the supply from midfield evaporated.

Ballinabrackey had a better spread of scorers with Danny Quinn, Seamus Curry and Chris O'Connor registering 12 between. David Carroll was the other player from the winning side to point more than once.

Quite a few of referee Patrick Coyle's decisions irked Trim fans, particulary in the first-half.

Ballinabrackey were first to show with points from Chris O'Connor (free) and Barry Thompson. It took Trim nearly eight minutes to get off the mark and their response reaped four points in as many minutes. 

Aaron Lynch (two, one free), Ian Bermingham and Rob Bourke registered. Ballinabrackey had a goal chance but Damien Carroll fired low and wide at the old swimming pool end. 

Two Danny Quinn points, one each side of the first water break, trimmed the deficit to a single point. Sub Erik Clancy tied the scores for the second time. The Bracks moved two points clear courtesy of Quinn (free) and Seamus Curry. 

The tide turned Trim's way and they enjoyed their best spell of the hour posting 1-3 for the loss of one point over the remainder of the half. In added time Mark Molloy flicked to the net with Eoin O'Connor providing the assist. 

Trim led by 1-8 to 0-8 at the break. Ballinabrackey outscored them by 0-8 to 0-4 in the second-half. Both sides were guilty of some poor marksmanship. 

Seamus Curry got Ballinabrackey going from a 32nd minute free. Trim led by 1-10 to 0-9 (four points). Curry's goal attempt was stopped by Trim 'keeper Peter Brennan before the Bracks man pointed from the rebound. 

Ballinabrackey were on top around the middle of the field and it was reflected in the scoring. In the 57th minute joint-captain Chris O'Connor leveled. The next score proved the difference. 

Black card: Michael Kearney (Curraha) 46-56mins.

Scorers: Ballinabrackey - Danny Quinn 0-5 (4fs); Seamus Curry 0-4 (2fs); Chris O'Connor 0-3 (1f); David Carroll 0-2; Barry Thompson, Erik Clancy 0-1 each.
Scorers: Trim - Aaron Lynch 0-7 (3fs, 1 45); Mark Molloy 1-0; Alan Douglas 0-2; Rob Bourke, Ian Bermingham, Ciaran Joyce 0-1 each.

Ballinabrackey - Dean Pluck; Adam O'Brien, Nicky Judge (JC), Michael Kearney; Richie Coffey, Derek Flynn, Sean Bannon; Chris O'Connor (JC), Sean Coffey; David Carroll; Danny Quinn, Damien Carroll, Sean Kavanagh; Seamus Curry, Barry Thompson. Subs - Erik Clancy for Judge (19), Dean McNamee for Thompson (49), Trevor Bannon for Kavanagh (55).

Trim - Peter Brennan; Declan Dowling, Brian Bolger; Ciaran O'Rourke; Kevin Nally, Luke Moran, Daire Lynch; Rob Bourke, Conor Quigley; Mark Molloy, Ian Bermingham, Alan Douglas, Ciaran Joyce, Aaron Lynch, Eoin O'Connor. Subs - James Cullen for Joyce (50), Paul Munnelly for Douglas (55).  

Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha).

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