The Rockies were forced to line out without their Kerry senior star Joe O’Connor. The big midfielder’s absence very much felt in Donnycarney, particularly in the second-half when Derry senior Gareth McKinless really came to the fore for the Ulster kingpins.
It wasn’t the most exciting game of football, although when Ballinderry took flight in the second-half there they brought a certain panache that the Tralee men simply couldn’t match.
That the contest started cagily maybe wasn’t a surprise. Both sides on scoping exercises, and with so much on the line very little incentive to let it all hang out.
By the time Mayo official Jerome Henry called time at the end of the half, Ballinderry’s return on chances created was a measly 25% (2 from 8) with Stacks at a more respectable 45% (4 from 9).
Despite a slow start to the second-half – three missed chances each – come the three-quarter mark Ballinderry had levelled it up with a trio of points from Darren Lawn, Conor O’Neill and Gareth McKinless.
Come 47 minutes gone, Ballinderry were two points clear. Stacks, to their credit, responded well. An inspirational Dylan Casey getting up for a point two minutes later to bring it back to a single-score game.
Ballinderry, though, held their composure that bit better, particularly in front of the sticks, a reversal of their first-half display. A trio of points from Daniel McKinless, Ryan Bell and Charlie Crozier had them four clear – 0-10 to 0-6 – before a beauty from Daniel Kirby gave Stacks some late hope on 58 minutes.
It was soon extinguished when second-half Ballinderry sub Daniel McKinless scored his second, this time a mark to leave it at a four-point margin come the finish.
The Ulster men march on to face Crossmolina next weekend in the final.
Scorers – Ballinderry: C O’Neill 0-3 (0-2 frees), Daniel McKinless 0-3 (0-1 mark); C Crozier (0-2 frees); G McKinless, D Lawn, R Bell (0-1 each). Austin Stacks: P Lane 0-2 (0-1 free), D Casey, D Kirby (0-2 each); J Nagle (0-1).
Ballinderry: B McKinless; R O’Neill, O Duffin, A Mullan; R Forbes, G McKinless, E Devlin; S Coleman, N O’Donnell; T Rocks, C O’Neill, S McCann; D Lawn, C Crozier, R Bell. Subs: D McKinless for Coleman (34); J Bell for O’Donnell (40); E McCracken for Mullan, M Quinn for Lawn (both 60).
Austin Stacks: M Tansley; D Casey, J Nagle, C Griffin; A Heinrich, J O’Shea, P O’Sullivan; M O’Donnell, R Shanahan; F Mangan, G Horan, D Kirby; S O’Callaghan, C Purcell, P Lane. Subs: E Carroll for O’Callaghan (39); L Casey for O’Donnell, D O’Brien for Mangan (both 47); C Browne for P O’Sullivan (51); J Kissane for Lane (55).
Referee: J Henry (Mayo).