Oola footballers retain Limerick senior status with dramatic win over Ballylanders

OOLA retained their senior status for next year following a 2-8 to 1-10 victory over 14-man Ballylanders in the Irish Wire Products Limerick football relegation semi-final at Ballyagran on Saturday afternoon.

Jack Downey’s late point proved decisive as Oola held off a second-half rally from the south Limerick men to secure a precious victory.

Ballylanders showed great resilience despite Shane O’Donoghue’s dismissal early in the second period. On the other hand, Oola were without Josh Ryan for most of the contest; the inter-county star was forced off early through injury.

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Oola had numerous goal scoring chances in the opening period but only converted two. However, Kem Downey’s med still led 2-6 to 1-4 at the interval.

Danny Frewen gave Ballylanders an early lead with a goal three minutes in. Two scores from Oola’s Shane O’Grady made it a one-point game five minutes later.

Oola took the lead on 11 minutes. Declan O’Connor vacated the goals and gifted possession to Limerick senior star Josh Ryan who fired low to an empty net.

Oola registered their second goal two minutes later. Ryan’s dropping ball was deflected towards Mikey O’Brien via the woodwork and the latter tapped in from close range.

On 15 minutes, John O’Callaghan’s attempt on goal was deflected out for a 45-metre kick which Ryan duly converted.

Ryan missed a goal chance on 17 minutes and sustained an injury in the process resulting in his withdrawal.

Oola were temporarily reduced to 14 men on 22 minutes. Jack Downey received a black card after fouling Aiden Macken in an off-the-ball incident.

Five minutes later, Ballylanders survived another scare. Shane O’Grady latched onto Colin O’Grady’s dropping ball but flicked it narrowly wide.

The sides traded three points each during the remainder of the first half and two minute after the restart, Shane O’Donoghue scored a remarkable two-pointer resulting in a three-point game.

Four minutes later, he was shown a straight red card following an off-the-ball incident.

Mikey O’Brien restored Oola’s four-point cushion on 40 minutes with a pointed free but Joe Daly’s side responded impressively.

Pointed frees from Danny Frewen (two) and Jimmy Barry Murphy made it a one-point game before the latter levelled the contest with another free four minutes from time.

Jimmy Barry Murphy and Jack Downey subsequently missed frees but the latter atoned for it with an effort from play one minute into injury time.

The shot appeared to be wide initially, but the score was given as Oola held on for a narrow victory.

Ballylanders now face Na Piarsaigh in the relegation final next weekend. The Caherdavin-based side suffered a 3-16 to 1-12 defeat at the hands of Kildimo Pallaskenry in the other relegation semi-final.

SCORERS: OOLA: Mikey O’Brien 1-4 (0-3f, 1’45), Josh Ryan 1-1 (0-1’45), Shane O’Grady 0-2, Jack Downey 0-1. BALLYLANDERS: Danny Frewen 1-4 (4f), Shane O’Donoghue 0-4 (1 2p), Jimmy Barry Murphy 0-2 (2f)

OOLA: Cian McGrath; Fiachra O'Grady (Captain), Niall McCormack, Sean Hanley; Paddy Downey, Eoin Fitzgibbon, Colin O'Grady; John O'Callaghan, Darragh Coughlan; Eddie Stokes, Josh Ryan, Micheal Ryan; Shane O’Grady, Mikey O’Brien, Jack Downey. SUBS: Aiden Macken for Josh Ryan (19 minutes), Fionn Roche for Fiachra O’Grady (41 minutes).

BALLYLANDERS: Declan O'Connor (Captain); Jordan Sheehy, Donal Kelly, Patrick Holian; Daniel Murphy, Robbie Downey, Liam Dennehy; Jason Leigh, Oisín Browne; Thomas McDonnell, Darren Frewen, Danny Frewen; Ciaran Kelly, Eoin O’Mahony, Shane O'Donoghue. SUBS: Jimmy Barry Murphy for Thomas McDonnell (43 minutes), Stevie Fox for Darren Frewen (44 minutes).

REFEREE: Donnacha O’Callaghan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon)