Newcastle West and Oola aim for Senior Football glory

Newcastle West face Oola in the Limerick Senior Football Championship Final in the Gaelic Grounds at 3pm.

The Magpies are chasing a first crown since 2015, while Oola are without a title since 1979, a full 40 years ago.

However, these sides have already met in the group stages of the competition, with Oola winning out by the minimum margin to secure top spot in Group 2 and a place in the semi-finals directly.

Newcastle West had to come through a tough quarter final with Ballysteen before they overcame back-to-back county champions Adare in the semi-finals to book their place in the final.

For manager, Mike Quilligan, making it to the decider is a welcome after losing at the last hurdle in 2017,

“It’s a breath of fresh air to be involved at this time of year.”

In that semi final win over Adare, Newcastle West lead from start to finish as they physically dominated the reigning champions. That performance was pleasing to Quilligan but says more needs to be done ahead of the Oola challenge.

“On the night we turned up and I’m very happy with aspects of our performance. It gives us a platform to build on.”

After losing to Oola in Round five, Quilligan is aware of the threat that the side from the east pose, but is confident in his own team’s ability.

“I’m expecting power, pace and intensity. They have great experience. A lot of All-Ireland winners that know how to win on the big day.

Our lads, in fairness to them, will bring intensity and a
performance to this game and may the best team come out on top.

“We won’t be found wanting on the day. I wouldn’t change one of our lads for anyone else in the county because you stick with your own.

They will fight to the bitter end and if we lose it won’t be
our fault.”

Contrasting to that are Oola who are appearing in a first final since 1980 with manager Kem Downey delighted to be involved in the final.

“It’s a fantastic feeling, that’s what these games are for. I was
never involved as a player so it’s fantastic to be involved.

“Its massive. You saw the scenes in the Gaelic Grounds when we got to the final.

Fellas hugged me in the pub that I’d never seen before! To see older statesmen crying not having won it in 40 years, it’s fantastic.

It’s a small village in the east and everything is built around the club. It’s not just for the 15 or 20 lads on the pitch, it’s for the club, the parish, it’s everything.”

While Doon have had huge success in recent years, the footballers have finally reached their potential with Downey outlining the sheer amount of work done behind the scenes to get the club to the county final.

“Savage work has been done. And it’s been done behind the scenes and people don’t get to see that which is a shame really. But Oola are not here by chance. A lot of work has gone in over the past 5/10 years and we’re beginning to reap the rewards.”

Yet, with Newcastle the opposition in the final once again, Downey says his side have it all to do to end the long wait for a seventy senior title.

“They’re the aristocrats of Limerick football. They’ve
already dethroned the champions.

“They’re a phenomenal team. They have a huge pick while we are only a small village but they are a phenomenal side. They are going to be a savage team to beat.

Rightly so they will go in as favourites. It’s all to play for. We won’t be found wanting. We’ll show up, give a good craic at it and see where it goes.”