Ballinderry leave London with the win
Ballinderry Shamrocks (Derry) 3-09 Kingdom Kerry Gaels (London) 2-07
Ballinderry Shamrocks withstood a strong second half comeback by Kingdom Kerry Gaels to book an All-Ireland semi-final date with Dublin's St. Vincent's following a five-point win at Ruislip this afternoon.
Ballinderry coasted to a 1-5 to 0-1 interval lead, with Cóilín Devlin netting a ninth minute goal. They could have added a second goal before the break, but for the intervention of KKG goalkeeper Shaun Howard who denied Conleith Gilligan in the 30th minute.
Kingdom Kerry Gaels were reduced to 14 men after 25 minutes following a second yellow card for full-back Peadar Stack.
Despite their numerical disadvantage - and the London champions falling 11 points in arrears inside five minutes of the restart after a Daniel McKinless goal - Noel Dunning's side launched a strong comeback.
A trio of unanswered points, including scores from Kryle Holland, Timmy O'Sullivan and Stephen Browne, ensured a 2-6 to 0-4 scoreline in the 40th minute.
Devlin responded with his second goal, following a Ryan Bell pass, but Kingdom Kerry Gaels upped their game.
Browne cancelled out Devlin's three-pointer with a well-worked goal, and although Bell responded with a point to make it 3-7 to 1-4 as the game entered the final quarter, the Gaels went on to score 1-3 without reply over the next nine minutes.
Substitutes Colman Hands and O'Sullivan were impressive, with captain Ciaran McCallion also adding a point, before Holland netted a 54th minute penalty goal.
This ensured a 3-7 to 2-7 scoreline, but Derry club Shamrocks proved strongest in the closing stage as points from Conor Nevin and substitute Fintan Bell helped secure a last-four berth.
BALLINDERRY SHAMROCKS: M Conlan; R Scott, C Nevin (0-1), M McIver; R Wilson, G McKinless, D Lawn; K McGuckin, J Conway; D McKinless (1-1), KM McGuckin, D McGuckin (0-1); C Devlin (2-1, 0-1f), R Bell (0-3, 0-1f), C Gilligan (0-1).
Subs used: C Wilkinson for Scott (17 mins), D Conway for Wilson (half-time), P Crozier for Lawn (36), F Bell (0-1) for Gilligan (45), A Devlin for KM McGuckin (57).
KINGDOM KERRY GAELS: S Howard; P Kelly, P Stack, C O'Neill; C Carty, P Horkan, D McGreevy; A Daly, S Browne (1-1); A Dillane, K Holland (1-1, 1-0 pen), C McCallion (0-1); N O'Connell, L Colfer (0-1, 0-1f), C Deely.
Subs used: K Waldron for Daly (26 mins), C Hands (0-1) for O'Connell (half-time), T O'Sullivan (0-2, 0-2f) for Colfer (38), A Kenny for Holland (59), C Griffin for Dillane (62).
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).
