Nothing to separate Ballysteen and Newcastle in Limerick SFC

A last minute 45 from Mark Ranahan secured a 2-4 to 1-7 draw for Ballysteen against Newcastle in the Bog Garden on Saturday evening.

Jamie Lee (2) and Ranahan exchanged frees in the opening minutes with Newcastle holding a 0-2 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes.

However, Ballysteen took the lead on the quarter hour mark after a clever free from Darragh Ranahan set Danny Neville through to score the games opening goal.

Newcastle responded well to the set back and scored four points with only one reply from Ballysteen to see them take a one point lead into the break, 0-6 to 1-2.

Half time substitute Sean Ivess made an immediate impact after the break for the side in black as his goal opened up a four point lead for Newcastle.

James O’Meara replied with a score from play to reduce the deficit before Jamie Lee once more extended the lead for NCW.

Both sides found it hard to break down the opposition defence as neither side scored for a quarter of an hour as Newcastle lopked to be heading towards victory.

Ballysteen dug deep however, and with a couple of minutes remaining Mark Ranahan scored a cracking goal to bring the teams within one heading into extra time. Ranahan would prove to be the hero with his 45 the final kick of the game to seal a draw.

Newcastle top the group on 5 points while Ballysteen opened up their account for the season after two losses in the opening rounds.