Connacht Club HC/ James Stephens 2-12 Athleague 2-10: James Stephens, Ballina staged a second-half comeback to overhaul home team Athleague in an exciting semi-final replay on Saturday. The winners face Portumna in the Connacht final.
Athleague led by 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval. A goal from a free by scorer-in-chief Gary Fallon put the Roscommon champions into a four-point lead after 37 minutes but soon afterwards they lost centre forward Declan McGeeney through injury and Ballina took control.
Barry Walsh put the visitors ahead with a goal in the 49th minute and John Duffy clinched victory when he pounced for another goal nine minutes later.Shane McGeeney's goal failed to save the day for Athleague.
SCORERS: Ballina: D Barrett (0-5, frees), B Walsh (1-0), J Duffy (1-0), K Healy (0-3), T Duffy (0-1, free), K Barrett (0-1, free), V O'Hara (0-1), P Reape (0-1); Athleague: G Fallon (1-8, all frees), S McGeeney (1-1), D Flaherty (0-1).
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