Eddie’s on the Ball as Louisburgh stay in the hunt
Eddie Ball's two goals were crucial to Louisburgh as they saw off the plucky challenge of Lahardane MacHales.
Eddie Ball netted goals three minutes into the game and three minutes from time to give Louisburgh the edge over Lahardane on Sunday afternoon.
Half of the home side’s points tally came from the skilled boot of Dylan Prendergast, who also set up Ball for both goals in a standout performance.
Ball showed great movement in the third minute of the game to peel away from his marker, collect Prendergast’s precise pass and find the net to give John Kelly’s men a dream start. Shane Finnerty responded from a free, the first of seven for the day for the Lahardane man. Dylan Prendergast hit two points, a free and one from play, but it was their last score for 16 minutes as the visitors hit a purple patch.
They took the next five scores unanswered to take the lead. Adrian Leonard got them moving on 10 minutes and points followed for Declan Langan, Finnerty (a mark), Kyron Jordan and Aaron Murphy. It was as though Louisburgh couldn’t buy a score in this period of play; Prendergast saw a well-struck shot drop short, Martin Ball fired wide after intercepting a kickout and Oisin Lally’s booming effort flew a way’s wide.
Finally, Ciaran Jennings fired over a free but Lahardane gave themselves a two point lead at the break, Shane Finnerty hitting both points to bring his tally to four for the half.
The opening five points of the second-half went to Louisburgh. Prendergast floated one over, Mark Gibbons hit a brace while Padraig O’Malley and Kevin Gibbons struck to give the hosts a three-point lead. Finnerty hit two back, one from play and one from a free, prior to which, in the 45th minute, Alfie Morrison was black carded for Louisburgh.
Dylan Prendergast popped over a free. Mark Noone and Finnerty scored to tie the game up again but Louisburgh found a second wind to take control of the game, despite the man disadvantage.
Joe Dawson had an instant impact off the bench, scoring less than a minute after replacing Isaac O’Grady. Prendergast scored again from play and then set up Eddie Ball for the crucial second goal. Ball turned his marker and planted the ball into the net to put the result pretty much beyond doubt.
Kyran Jordan scored Lahardane’s final point while Prendergast got his sixth of the day from a free and that wrapped up the scoring in what was a decent effort from Lahardane.
Unfortunately, they will now face a relegation playoff regardless of their next result against Moy Davitts. Louisburgh face Crossmolina in a winner-takes-all game to determine who will advance to the quarter finals.
Scorers – Louisburgh: Eddie Ball 2-0, Dylan Prendergast 0-6 (3f), Mark Gibbons 0-2, Padraig O’Malley, Ciaran Jennings (f), Kevin Gibbons and Joe Dawson 0-1 each.
Lahardane: Shane Finnerty (3f, 1m) 0-7, Kyran Jordan 0-2, Declan Langan, Aaron Murphy, Mark Noone and Adrian Leonard 0-1 each.
Louisburgh: Jason Corrigan: Alfie Morrison, Basil McLeod, Damien O’Malley: Isaac O’Grady, Padraig O’Malley, Jason O’Malley: Oisin Lally, Diarmaid Lally: Mark Gibbons, Ciaran Jennings, Martin Ball: Eddie Ball, Kevin Gibbons, Dylan Prendergast. Subs: Stephen Corrigan (for O Lally 26), Sean Keane (for Jennings H/T), Joe Dawson (for O’Grady 51), John O’Reilly (for Gibbons 58).
Lahardane: Joe Queenan: Aodan Cronin, Cathal Finnerty, Kieran Lynn: Declan Langan, Jarlath Maughan, Aaron Murphy: Kyran Jordan, Darragh Walsh: Benny Joyce, Eoin Fergus, Mark Noone: Shane Finnerty, Adrian Leonard, Matthew Maughan. Subs: Keelan Dyra (for Cronin 38), James Maughan (for M Maughan 40), Adam Garrett (for Walsh 45), Jack McHale (for Fergus 51), Barry Leonard (for Langan 60+1).
REF: Enda Nolan (Balla)
