Ballinderry Shamrocks’ dream of emulating their All-Ireland Senior Football Club Championship win of 2002 is very much alive as they trail Leinster champions St Vincents by a single point in their semi-final clash at Pairc Esler in Newry.
The Derry and Ulster champions have recovered from a nervy start – which saw them trail by six points at one point – and can consider themselves unlucky not to be leading at the half way stage.
A Mossy Quinn point from a 45 put the Leinster champions ahead in the second minute.
A Collie Devlin point brought the Derry side level before Raymond Wilson put the Shamrocks in front shortly afterwards.
St Vincents were rewarded for their early dominance with two quick goals from Tomas Quinn and Ciaran Dorney to put them in command after 12 minutes.
Another Moss Quinn point put St Vinents six clear with 15 minutes gone.
However, Ballinderry pulled themselves together and reduced the deficit with points from Ryan Bell, James Conway and Connie Devlin after 23 minutes.
A Shane Carthy point in the 27th minute put four points between the side.
Points from Conleith Gilligan (free) and Collie Devlin brought the Derry champs to just two points behind going into added time.
Another Moss Quinn point restored the St VIncents lead to three before Ballinderry were unlucky not to draw level when, in the best move of the game, Colline Devlin saw his close range shot bounce off the bar and over for a point.
A Raymond Wilson brought ballinderry right back into the game with almost he last kick of the first half.
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