Oulart The Ballagh lost the All Ireland semi final to Na Pairsaigh of Limerick in Thurles this evening on a score-line of 1-22 to 0-20
Sounds harsh and final but it doesn’t reflect the real story of the game, the players or the Club.
Playing with the wind in the first half they started well and were 3-0 and 4-1 ahead early on. Na Pairsaigh got into their stride then and controlled the game for most of the first half. Oulart did well to stay with them at the time and got a renewed surge of energy in the last five minutes, leading by 1 point in injury time of the first half.
But sometimes the Gods conspire to make life difficult and have won a free just in the Oulart half the Na Pairsaigh free taker missed his first attempt at picking the ball and then hurried a second effort (illegally doing so) he mishit the free and it dropped short where the full forward caught, turned and goaled. Suddenly, having had the wind advantage Oulart were two points behind.
David Redmond had played most of the half in at full forward having suffered a heavy knock in a clash with his own player, Kevin Sheridan early in the game. This robbed Oulart of one of their major attacking threats, David’s runs and scores from midfield that can change any game.
Na Pairsaigh used the wind well in the second half and despite some fine hurling from Oulart they found themselves 5 points down and facing an exit from the championship. Some wayward shooting was costing dearly. They dug seep, no surprise there. They fought hard and they hurled well with style and class, again no surprise. With a composure befitting their experience they now seemed to know where to be and how to get there. Nicky Kirwan hit ten points in total, including frees, Shaun Murphy and Keith Rossiter were everywhere.
They controlled the game and minimised the soring opportunities for their opposition while taking their own. It was difficult. Underfoot conditions were very heavy after the rain last night. It took lots of energy and bravery, holding their nerve when their supporters from Club and county were losing theirs. They were one point behind with five minutes to go and against the wind. They were tough minutes. Whatever fight they had shown up till then even more was required now.
Na Pairsaigh champions of Limerick and Munster would not give in. Time ticked away, we went into added time still one behind. Darren Stamp was on and causing trouble. Eventually a ball was won a free awarded to Oulart.
Nicky Kirwan, ice cold in Thurles, pointed. The sides were level. Na Pairsaigh had one last chance from a line ball but it went wide. Full-time.
Many breathe a sigh of relief and talked of a replay but the message had been clear, extra time was to be played. A really tough call on the players after such an effort. They probably would have found it easier to stay out and play on for the extra time as the spirit was up but into the dressing room, take a break and regroup for ten minutes was the system. They came out full of beans, did a warm up while waiting for their opposition.
Extra time just didn’t go for them. They were again with the wind but hit some wides while Na Pairsaigh won some frees and went four points ahead. The effort was awesome, they ran, hooked blocked (Dessie had a particularly impressive block) but the ball would not go over the bar.
At half time in extra time there was a goal between the sides but Oulart had to face into the wind again to attempt another revival. It proved too much, suddenly no matter how well they played and scored, Na Pairsaigh replied and seemed to hit everything between the posts.
David Redmondcame back on for Dessie Mythen who went off with a cramp so bad he couldn’t walk and had to be carried off. David won a ball, ran at goal and was fouled just outside the 20 metre line. Conor O’Leary came up from his goal to but a blaster but the ball went high and over.
Shaun Murphy was out on his feet, Garrett Sinnott and Michael Jacob had to go off, Keith Rossiter had gone centre forward but caught a high ball in his own square and cleared. All the players had ran themselves to the limits. There was nothing left.
As the old cowboy saying used to go: they died with their boots on, meaning they went down fighting. They left everything on the pitch, the only way to go. They did their county, their Club, their families but most of all themselves proud, no one could ask for any more.
Scorers for Na Piarsaigh: D Breen 1-2, S Dowling 0-5 (4f), A Dempsey & K Downes 0-4 each, D Dempsey & P Casey 0-2 each, R Lynch (f), W O’Donoghue & A Breen 0-1 each.
Scorers for Oulart-the-Ballagh: N Kirwan 0-10 (8f), D Mythen 0-3, E Moore 0-2 (1f), C O’Leary (f), S Murphy, G Sinnott, T Storey & B Dunne (f) 0-1 each.
OULART-THE BALLAGH: C O’Leary; B Kehoe, K Rossiter, A Roche; K Sheridan, S Murphy, E Moore; D Redmond, M Jacob; T Storey, D Mythen, P Murphy; R Jacob, G Sinnott, N Kirwan. Subs: T Dunne for P Murphy (42), K Nimmo for M Jacob (44), B Dunne for Redmond (52), D Stamp for T Dunne (58), S Doyle for Sinnott (70), Redmond for Mythen (70), D Nolan for Mythen (72).
NA PIARSAIGH: P Kennedy; M Casey, K Breen, K Kennedy; M Foley, R Lynch, C King; A Dempsey, W O’Donoghue; S Dowling, D Breen, K Ryan; K Downes, D Dempsey, P Casey. Sub: A Breen for Ryan (38)
Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary)
