Ballinderry are through to the All-Ireland Club football final on St Patrick's Day after defeating Leinster champions Rathnew 1-9 to 0-7 at Pearse Park this afternoon.
The Ulster champions will play the winner of next weekend's semi-final clash between Nemo Rangers and Charlestown in the March 17th final.
There was concern this morning regarding the deteriorating condition of the Pearse Park pitch and Ballinderry manager Brian McIver suggested the game be postponed. But match referee, Michael Collins, deemed the pitch playable.
Ballinderry turned in a brilliant team performance and granted Rathnew little opportunity to settle into the fixture.
Ballinderry started briskly and were a goal up inside three minutes when man-of-the-match Conleth Gilligan netted from the penalty spot.
Rathnew, despite their laboured start, only trailed by a point at the break on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-4. But Ballinderry were again quickly into their stride after the restart and soon put the game out of reach.
Ger Cassidy, Adrian McGuckian and Paul Wilson all pointed to seal a highly impressive victory for the northern outfit.
Westmeath made a smart return to winning ways with a 1-14 to 1-6 victory over Cork in Division 1A of the National Football League.
After losing to Galway seven days ago, manager Luke Dempsey stressed to his players how important it was to get a result in Mullingar this afternoon.
Westmeath made a stunning start when Joe Fallon netted after three minutes. Dempsey's side then bombarded Cork with score after score and led by eight points the break.
Philip Clifford scored a goal for Cork soon after the restart but Westmeath's deadly first half showing had already finished off the contest.
Three matches in the opening round of the National Hurling League were postponed due to unplayable pitches but Cork did get off to a winning start with a two point victory over Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.
Kilkenny ran out three point winners over Waterford at Nowlan Park while Wexford and Clare recorded emphatic victories over Derry and Meath respectively.
RESULTS
All-Ireland Club Football semi-final
Ballinderry 1-9 Rathnew 0-7
NFL Division 1A
Tyrone 3-20 Roscommon 0-14
Westmeath 1-14 Cork 1-6
Donegal P-P Galway
NFL Division 1B
Cavan 1-9 Kildare 1-12
Sligo 0-10 Mayo 0-11
Clare 2-5 Derry 0-7
NFL Division 2A
Limerick L-L Leitrim
NFL Division 2B
Monaghan 3-7 Meath 2-10
NHL Division 1A
Meath 1-8 Clare 4-24
Dublin P-P Galway
Kilkenny 1-12 Waterford 0-12
NHL Division 1B
Limerick 0-9 Cork 0-11
Wexford 2-20 Derry 3-4
Offaly P-P Tipperary
NHL Division 2A
Antrim 1-10 Down 1-8
Westmeath P-P Kildare
NHL Division 2B
Wicklow 4-14 Carlow 2-13