Louisburgh advance to provincial final after epic battle
Louisburgh 0-15
Oranmore/Maree, Galway 3-5
LOUISBURGH are just 60 minutes away from winning their first ever Connaught club title following their brilliant victory over Galway champions, Oranmore Maree, in the semi-final played in Pearse Stadium, Salthill.
In what was a cracking game, Louisburgh who were aided by the strong had the better of the exchanges in the opening half and were full value for their four-point half time lead, 0-7 to 0-3.
Three of these points came from man of the match Kevin Gibbons along with one each from James Gibbons, Michael Gibbons, Paul McDonnell and Padraic Prendergast.
Five minutes into the second half Louisburgh had doubled their lead after scoring four unanswered points. Although Oranmore Maree were thrown a lifeline with a fine goal from their best forward, Jonathan Keiliher in the 36th minute.
However, two Louisburgh unanswered points had them back on track and everything seemed to going their way.
But two more Oranmore Maree goals, both from the penalty spot, brought them back level with six minutes remaining.
As both teams went all out to get the winner it was Louisburgh Padraic Prendergast who had the final say by scoring a brilliant long ranged free from a difficult angle in the 60th minute, which gave the west Mayo side a deserved Connaught final place.
In the Connaught final they will meet Roscommon champions, Creggs, at a Roscommon venue, likely to be Kiltoom, on Sunday week.
Louisburgh : D. O'Malley, M. O'Malley, Paul Prendergast, T. Dawson, P. O'Malley, A. Moran (0-1), Padraic Prendergast (0-3), O. Lally, J. Gibbons (0-1), A. O'Malley, P. McDonnell (0-1), P. O'Grady, K. Gibbons (0-6), M. Gibbons (0-1).
Subs used: R. Prendergast (0-1), J. Dowd (0-1), E. O'Toole, S. O'Grady, B. McGinn, E. Bell.
Oran/Maree: P. Munnelly, D. Conway, N. Qualter, P. Stenson, N. Sheehan, S. Flanagan, M. Black, P. Fitzmaurice, C. Tarpey, J. Costello (0-1), S. McInerney (2-0), A. Barrett, J. Keiliher (1-3), S. Geoghegan, E. Stenson (0-1).
Subs used: E.Neary, E. Walsh, C. Greaney, R.Heffernan.
Referee: P. Daly (Roscommon).
Man of the match: Kevin Gibbons (Louisburgh)...from start to finish caused the Oran/Maree defence all sorts of problems and scored six brilliant points.