Cliftonville through to County Antrim Shield final

Jack Keaney was on target twice for the Reds

Cliftonville advanced to the final of the County Antrim Shield as they came from behind to secure a 4-1 win away to Ballymena United in Tuesday's semi-final at the Showgrounds.

It was looking good for the hosts at the break as frontman Success Edogun had fired them ahead, but Jim Magilton's side responded brilliantly in the second period.

Jack Keaney brought them level before Joe Gormley edged them ahead and there was no looking back as Rory Hale added a third and Keaney grabbed his second.

The Reds now progress to a meeting with Carrick Rangers in January's final after Stephen Baxter's men came through on penalties in last week's first semi-final against Larne.

Joe Gormley thought he had given Cliftonville an early lead, but his strike was ruled out for offside.

The visitors continued to make the early running with Ballymena goalkeeper Declan Breen gathering a Rory Hale header before pulling off an excellent stop from Keevan Hawthorne.

United grew into the contest and midway through the first half, they had a huge chance as Matthew Clarke met David Toure's cross, but he could only find the post.

The game was opening up but it took until the stroke of half-time for the opening goal to arrive as Edogun got onto a long ball to superbly find the corner of the net and give Ballymena United the advantage at the interval.

However, the lead would only last for two minutes of the second period as Keaney brought the Reds level from a set piece.

Momentum was with Cliftonville and with 20 minutes remaining, Gormley got his goal, bringing his tally for the club to 301.

Hale doubled the advantage in the 79th minute and Keaney completed a fine night with his second to seal his side's passage into the decider.