Derry champions Ballinderry experienced little difficulty in booking their place in the final at the expense of Cavan Gaels at Clones yesterday.
A much more focused Ballinderry led all through after Conleth Gilligan opened the scoring in the first minute. The Cavan champions never come to terms with the pace and power of the opposition, particularly Enda Muldoon, Sean Doherty, Darren Conway, Adrian McGuckin and Gerard Cassidy.
Ballinderry led at half-time by 1-7 to 0-1, Conway hitting the goal with a superb half volley four minutes into stoppage time by which stage also Cavan Gaels had been reduced to 14 players with the dismissal of Eamonn Reilly, sent off in the 27th minute.
Cavan Gaels got off to a good start to the second half with a goal by Paul O'Donnell but Ballinderry were soon back in control with a second goal by Conway.
BALLINDERRY: M Conlan; K McGuckin, N McCusker, S Mullan; P Wilson, R McGuckin, D Crozier; S Donnelly (0-1), B McCusker (0-1); A McGuckin, C Gilligan (0-2), D Conway (2-2); D Bateson, E Muldoon (0-1), G Cassidy (0-5). Subs: J Bell for Mullan, J Conway for A McGuckin, F Muldoon for Bateson, M Harney for Crozier, S McGeehan for Gilligan.
CAVAN GAELS: J Graham; S McGlade, D Rabbitt, F Brady; K Crotty, E Reilly, J Doonan; C Collins, E King; C Nelligan (0-1), D Buggy, D Reilly; P O'Donnell (2-0), M Leddy (0-2), N Collins (0-1). Subs: P Smith for D Reilly, G Duffy for Buggy, T McCormick for N. Collins, P Graham for Crotty.
Referee: G. Lynch (Fermanagh).
