AIB All-Ireland Club JHC semi-final
Russell Rovers (Cork) 2-22 Ballinascreen (Derry) 1-9
CROKE Park proved to be a step too far for Ballinascreen this year as Russell Rovers convincingly beat them in their All-Ireland JHC semi-final.
The game started on the worst possible note for Ballinascreen as Aodhan McCallion was sent off within two minutes for his reaction to a foul on him by Brian Hartnett, who impressed for the Shanagarry side.
After that, ’Screen were left chasing the game as Rovers took full advantage of the extra man, scoring 1-6 in the first quarter, Luke Duggan-Murray getting the opening goal for the Cork side.
Cormac Gough got the Ulster champions’ first score of the game after 11 minutes when he sent over an impressive sideline cut.
Fintan Murray, Josh Beausang, and Hartnett added further first-half points for Russell Rovers in a half that seemed to secure their side a comfortable footing in the game going into the second half.
The boys in black and amber were in good spirits going into the break, despite Eoin McCallion pulling a goal back before half-time, leaving the scoreline at 1-15 to 1-3.
Harnett added to Ballinascreen’s misery after he pointed inside 10 seconds of the restart with a well-struck score on the turn.
Russell Rovers held back a resurgent Ballinascreen side to lead 1-16 to 1-7 going into the final quarter of the game.
Beausang raised the green flag again from a 20-metre free to add more misery for the white and maroon of Derry.
Rovers added five points while their opponents from Ulster could only manage two more scores before time ran out on their dreary afternoon.
Russell Rovers will now play St Lachtain’s of Kilkenny in the final. They beat Eskey of Sligo by 3-15 to 0-13.