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.

Oola will be looking to repeat their group win over Newcastlewest

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.”

Newcastlewest manager Mike Quilligan speaking at the final media launch

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.”

Pat Ryan chases down a St Kierans’ player in the semi final

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.”

Kem Downey speaking to the media at the Senior Final Launch

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.”

NCW blew Adare away with a powerful first half in their semi final

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.”

Social Sharing

Posted in

Limerick collect maiden League victory with Tipp triumph

Limerick 0-30Tipperary 1-23Limerick collected their first victory of the 2025 League campaign as they, in near usual fashion, ...
Read More

Limerick ladies fall to second league loss at home to Wexford

Limerick's ladies footballers remain without a win in Division 3 of the Lidl Ladies National Football League following ...
Read More

Limerick’s wait for League victory goes on

Limerick 0-13 (0-1-11)Wexford 0-17 (0-2-13)By Tom Clancy in RathkealeLimerick footballers must wait a little bit longer for their ...
Read More

Limerick ladies downed in opening league game of 2025

Limerick's began life in Division 3 of the Lidl Ladies Gaelic Football National League with a 0-14 to ...
Read More

McCarthy adds Ryan to Limerick Masters football coaching ticket               

Limerick Masters football manager Anthony McCarthy has revealed his backroom team for the coming season that includes a ...
Read More

History: Mungret St. Paul’s collect deserved All Ireland Junior title

Mungret St. Paul’s 0-12Na Dúnaibh 0-4By Tom Clancy at Parnell ParkMungret St. Paul’s are All-Ireland champions. That is ...
Read More

Fitzgerald magic helps Monaleen to Premier U20 hurling title

Monaleen are champions once again with the clubs' Premier U20 hurlers beating Bruff by 0-15 to 1-11 in ...
Read More

Mungret St. Paul’s Ladies make history with Midleton win

Mungret St. Paul's are celebrating this Saturday evening. The ever improving club have now annexed their first Munster ...
Read More