Kells side best after tight game

This week Gaeil Colmcille will start their preparations for the IFC final in the knowledge that when it comes down to it they know how to dig out a victory against dogged, determined opponents. This semi-final encounter at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday was no classic. In fact there were times when the contest descended into a shapeless, scrappy, messy affair. Some might say with justification that you could hardly expect more from a north Meath derby, especially with so much at stake. Certainly this was never likely to be a classic and while the closing stages were tense and exciting, at no point did the fare rise above the mundane although the swirling wind and greasy ball made life very difficult for the players. Not that Gaeil Colmcille should care too much about that. As Brian Cody is fond of saying semi-finals are all about winning and Jody Devine's side did just that with a good deal of pragmatism and a certain amount of panache. The little flashes of quality football Gaeil Colmcille produced at various stages over the hour was replicated in the final minutes when they put a good move together to get what proved to be the winning point. Stevie McManus and Seanie Curran combined well to get the ball up to Philly Ward and he strode forward to drill the ball between the posts and put Gaeil Colmcille one ahead with time almost up. Driven on by Peadar Byrne's forward surges Ballinlough fought hard to rescue the situation in the time remaining. The closest they came was a Byrne shot that sailed well wide. Byrne's disappointment was obvious and he displayed his annoyance at the end by giving Gaeil Colmcille coach Jody Devine a hefty shoulder as he ran off the pitch. Ballinlough had good reason to be bitterly disappointed at the end because they will look back on this game as one that got away. In many ways this was a tale of two penalties and both of them were awarded to Ballinlough - yet they only managed to get a point from the two opportunities and that was always likely to prove costly. Their first spot kick was awarded when Kevin Mallon was brought down after just six minutes. Up stepped brother Cian Mallon but he dragged his effort well wide. In the 44th minute Gaeil Colmcille goalkeeper David Drew was penalised for a foot-block in the square when he attempted to stop a Benjy Smith shot. This time Byrne stepped up to the plate and he rifled the ball over the bar. Gaeil Colmcille were determined to make the most of their reprieve. Both side's made plenty of mistakes, but Devine's charges were less guilty on that count although they did shoot eight wides to just four from Ballinlough. At no point was there more than three points between the teams with Gaeil Colmcille getting a hat-trick of scores before Ballinlough registered their first point from a Kevin Devine free on 19 minutes despite having many good chances. Ballinlough spurned a lot of early chances nervously firing wide or dropping shots short. Gaeil Colmcille had a player who could produce something a little extra in the roving Danny McGovern. He wore 15 although he popped up all over the pitch. McGovern's runs from deep particularly unsettled the Ballinlough backline and his three fine points from play was only part of his contribution to the cause. He also earned frees and created space for others. Brian Hanlon was another who caused plenty of problems. He finished with four points, two frees, while Gary Arkins, Martin Barrett (pictured) and of course Ward added to Gaeil Colmcille's points tally. It didn't look good for Gaeil Colmcille when they led by only 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval despite playing with a strong breeze. Yet they played their best football after the break their short-passing game diminshing the influence of the elements with Ward and Justin Carry-Lynch doing well to pick up plenty of breaking ball around the middle of the field. Ballinlough were nervy from very early on and that seemed to undermine their play especially in the forwards. Kevin Devine was their topscorer with five points. Apart from Byrne their only other forwards to score were Mark McCullen and Ronan McGuinness. Ballinlough needed a player to take the pot shots at the posts when the chances were there, to take responsibility. Gaeil Colmille showed the greater composure in the tight, tense closing stages to ensure they go forward to the final. Gaeil Colmcille - D Drew; M Foley, R Flanagan, D Smith; C Finn, S Geraghty, B Tormay; P Ward (0-1), J Carry-Lynch; G Arkins (0-1 free), A Hickey, S Curran; B Hanlon (0-4 three frees), M Barrett (0-1), D McGovern (0-3). Subs - B Smith for Tormey 22 mins, S Mattimoe for Arkins 35m, K Reilly for Carry-Lynch 42m, S McManus for Hickey 55m. Ballinlough - K McGuinness; B Smith, P Muldoon, R Farrell; K Devine (0-4 frees), J O'Reilly, C Mallon; S Fagan, C Mallon; P Byrne (0-3), L Maguire, M McCullen (0-1); R McGuinness (0-1), K Mallon, K Rothwell. Subs - S Geraghty for Mallon 39 mins, T McCullen for Rothwell 45m. Referee - Brendan Darby (Ballinabrackey).