Bally’ have no answer to Adare in decider
Adare 4-7 Ballylanders 0-4
There was disappointment for Ballylanders senior footballers in their quest for title no 5 and reversing the 2018 title decider result between the sides, when Adare ran out convincing 4-7 to 0-4 winners of the 2020 Limerick SFC final, played at the LIT Gaelic Grounds on Sunday last.
This was a bad day at the office for the South side and Adare, who defeated Bally’ in the 2018 decider, had a strong opening half with the wind advantage, their running and passing style causing all kinds of problems for their opponents. At the break they enjoyed a 2-3 to 0-1 lead and a hill to climb for Ballylanders in the second half.
The opening exchanges saw the defences on top, as the sides sized one and other up. Ballylanders kicked two early wides, when scores could have settled them. Robbie Bourke and Mikey Lyons combined to create an opening for Ronan Connolly, however, custodian Declan O’Connor was up to the challenge to keep the Bally net intact. Six minutes on the clock, Hugh Bourke was on target with a terrific effort and O’Connor was picking the football out of the net, as Adare goaled for the first time, a real confidence booster.
Bally’ battled on, enjoying periods of possession in that opening sequence, though off target and not working the scoreboard. They kicked four wides in this crucial period of play. Thirteen minutes had elapsed before Bally’ registered their first and only score of the half, a fine point from captain Jimmy Barry Murphy. Adare followed with a pointed free, 1-1 to 0-1 at the first water break.
Shortly after the restart, Declan O’Connor was back in the spotlight to rescue his side, denying Davy Lyons what seemed a certain goal and following up denying full-forward Shane O’Connor a second goal for Adare, though the rebound was sent over the bar, extending the Adare lead. Another point in the 26th minute increased the West side’s lead, 1-3 to 0-1, before clinching their second goal almost on the stroke of half-time. O’Connor converting a penalty past his namesake, 2-3 to 0-1 now at the break.
Eight points down and facing into the breeze, a good start to the second half would be crucial for Bally’. However, it was Adare who got the scoreboard ticking as play resumed, with points from Hugh Bourke (free) and Mark Connolly, extending their lead and making the Bally’ task harder still. Never a team to give up and throw in the towel, Ballylanders showed admirable determination and responded with two points, a James Barry Murphy free and a mighty Danny Frewen point from play in the 40th minute, now 2-5 to 0-3.
Robbie Bourke (free) and James Barry Murphy traded points, which saw Adare cruising 2-6 to 0-4 at the second half water break and it was clear Bally’ needed goals to have any chance. Adare remained strong in defence and as Ballylanders pushed on, the champions added two further late goals (Hugh Bourke and Roy Gleeson the scorers) and a Ronan Connolly point, to clinch their third title in emphatic fashion.
Celebrations for Adare, great disappointment for Ballylanders, who have enjoyed some great days over the years and earlier this year, but on this occasion they were second best to an impressive Adare outfit and their combination, running game.
Adare: Brendan Carmody, Oran Collins, David Connolly, Eoghan Costelloe, Shane Doherty (capt), Eoin Ryan, Ronan Connolly (0-1), Robbie Bourke (0-1f), Paul Maher, Davy Lyons (0-1), Shane Costelloe, Hugh Bourke (2-2/0-2f) Mark Connolly (0-2), Shane O’Connor (1-0 pen), Mikey Lyons. Subs: Jack English for Mikey Lyons (half-time), Jack Fitzgerald for Eoghan Costelloe (48’), Mikey Lyons for Shane O’Connor (50’), Aodhán O’Connor for Hugh Bourke, Roy Gleeson (1-0) for Shane Costelloe (both 59’).
Ballylanders: Declan O’Connor, Pa Holihan, Stephen Walsh, Donal Kelly, Stephen Fox, Shaun Moloney, Killian Meade; Eoin O’Mahony, Mark O’Connell (capt), Brian O’Connell, Ciaran Kelly, David McCarthy, Jimmy Barry Murphy (capt, 0-3/1f), Eoin Walsh, Danny Frewen (0-1). Subs: Tom O’Dwyer for David McCarthy (half-time), Jason Leigh for Tom O’Dwyer (32’), Shane O’Donoghue for Stephen Fox (42’), Kieran O’Callaghan for Eoin Walsh (45’), Oisín Browne for Ciaran Kelly (58’).