Played on the back pitch, this game went to extra time after the sides finished level with nine points each after regulation time in less than ideal conditions. And it was Balyna who got stronger as this game went on and five points during the extra time period saw them ease in to the final, where they will face either St Laurence's or Clane.

Sarsfields played most of the game a man down after Joe Buckley was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on James O'Connor after 23 minutes, while their opponents also finished up a man down when substitute Dean Hanley was also show a red after an incident on the sideline in the last minute of extra time.

The amalgamation side dominated the opening 30 minute period but for all that dominance they only led by two points (0-4 to 0-2) at the interlude. Sarsfields played against the strong breeze for the first half and were forced to work incredible hard for their two scores but after the turnaround they got in to the groove and were level by the 37th minute.

Forward Ray Cahill was the star man on show for the Sash. He scored six of his side's ten points, one a magnificent effort from a free out on the left sideline. For the opposition Ciaran Gravin was in inspiring form, his kicking was particularly on song, while full back Seamus McNally put in a man-of-the-match performance.

Balyna opened the scoring with just 20 seconds on the clock when Cathal McNally laid off possession to Niall Vaughan and he split the posts to give his side an early advantage. The opposition were quick to restore parity, through a Sean Campbell effort and indeed took the lead when Deckie McKenna's quickly taken free found Cahill and he fired over.

That was to be Sarsfields last score of the half, as Balyna took control for the remainder. However, they only managed to put two further points on the table, while they notched up nine first half wides.

A fine move involving Gravin, James O'Connor and Sean Hurley was finished by Cathal McNally and left the sides level at the midway point. Just minutes later Sarsfields' Donnchadh McDonnell was penalised for over-carrying and Gravin impressively struck over the free from 45 metres out to edge his side back in front.

Balyna had an opportunity to extend their lead in the 21st minute when they were awarded a free, yet again from 45 metres out, but Keith Cribbin, who didn't have one of his better days, elected to take the kick and sent it well wide. Having put one over from the same position only minutes before, it was strange that Gravin didn't step forward with the free.

The last scoring action of the half came in the final minute when Paul Cribbin superbly struck over from the left after a defensive clearance from Seamus McNally to leave the half time score at 0-4 to 0-2.

With the wind behind them Sarsfields perked up for the second half and had the deficit down to the minimum just a minute in when Cahill converted a free but that was cancelled out at the other end by yet another sublime effort, from a free, by Gravin after Sean Hurley was impeded.

Three points on the trot courtesy of John Kavanagh and two from Cahill gave the Sash the lead (0-6 to 0-5) for the first time in the game but it was a short lived advantage.

Ciaran Gravin added to his tally at the midway point of the half to level proceedings once again and just two minutes later Sean Hurley got on the end of a super move before firing over to leave the score at 0-7 to 0-6.

With nine minutes left on the clock Cahill struck over a free to tie it up once more but once again the sides swapped points to leave things level (0-8 to 0-8) with the game coming to a close.

With two minutes of stoppage time added Sarsfields' thought they had sealed it when Cahill was fouled by James O'Connor and he put over the resultant free kick but time wasn't up just yet.

Four minutes in to time added on Donnchadh McDonnell was called for a foul on Keith Cribbin and Sean Hurley converted the free to send the game to extra time.

There was no sign of tiredness from the side from Johnstownbridge and Clogherinkoe, as they kicked on to comfortably prevail in the end. Substitute Dean Hanley levelled things up after Robbie Confrey drew first blood for the Sash and thereafter it was all Balyna.

Points from Gravin, Sean Hurley, Paul Cribbin and another from Hanley ensured victory and a place in the decider.

Scorers: Balyna – Ciaran Gravin 0-4 (2f), Sean Hurley 0-4 (2f), Paul Cribbin 0-2, Dean Hanley 0-2, Niall Vaughan 0-1, Cathal McNally 0-1.
Sarsfields – Ray Cahill 0-6 (4f), Robbie Confrey 0-2, Sean Campbell 0-1, John Kavanagh 0-1.

Balyna: Shane Geoghegan; Des Holton, Seamus McNally, Conor Swan; James O'Connor, Will Holton, Stephen McKeown; Ciaran Gravin, Keith Cribbin; Niall Vaughan, Paul Cribbin, Brian Kelly; Eoin O'Donoghue, Sean Hurley, Cathal McNally. Subs: Dean Hanley replaced B Kelly 54 mins, Ben Kenny replaced C Gravin 78 mins.

Sarsfields: John Melia; Donnchadh McDonnell, David Duggan, Darren Somers; Stephen Lawlor, John Kavanagh, Joe Buckley; Caoimhin McDonnell, Sean Campbell; Padraig Buckley, Ray Cahill, Darren Horgan; John Geraghty, Robbie Confrey, Deckie McKenna. Subs: David Cash replaced D Horgan HT, Mattie Byrne replaced J Geraghty 48 mins, Tomas McDonnell replaced C McDonnell 78 mins.

Referee: Paddy Moore (Clane).