Ballyduff 2-11 Crotta O'Neill's 0-15:RAGING HOT favourites Ballyduff fought back from being six points down in the second half at Austin Stack Park to score two goals and break Crotta O'Neill's hearts – just as the latter looked as if they were going to end a 43-year wait for the title.

Crotta O’Neill’s paid scant respect to the 22-times champions and with Kerry Christy Ring Cup-winning sharpshooter, Shane Nolan (who scored 0-13) scoring at will from placed balls, Crotta led 0-10 to 0-5 by the interval .

But six wides on the trot cost Crotta in the third quarter. Anthony O’Carroll’s goal sparked the Ballyduff comeback and Bobby O’Sullivan added points from placed balls before Gary O’Brien struck a goal in the 49th minute. Late points from Pádraig Boyle and O’Sullivan sealed the victory.

SCORERS

Ballyduff: B O’Sullivan 0-7 (six frees, 1 65); G O’Brien, A O’Carroll 1-0 each; P Boyle, PJ Connolly 0-2 each. Crotta O’Neill’s: S Nolan 0-13 (11 frees); C Lynch, I McCarthy 0-1 each.