Mayo IFC: Islandeady secure intermediate championship status

Islandeady snatched a dramatic 1-16 to 0-15 victory against Louisburgh at Tourmakeady on Sunday afternoon, to secure their intermediate championship status for next year.

On 56 minutes the sides were level at 0-14 apiece, however, Islandeady’s Zac Collins plundered a goal which would prove crucial in the end.

A pointed free from Louisburgh's Cian O’Malley on nine minutes was the start of a period of first half dominance by the black and amber and further scores from Mark Gibbons (two), Oisin Lally (two-pointer), and Dylan Prendergast, mustered a 0-10 to 0-2 lead for Eugene O'Toole's outfit. Indeed, Lally’s two-pointer was the score of the game as his orange flagged effort was struck from near the half-way line.

However, Islandeady dominated the final seven minutes of the first half. Points from Darragh Joyce (three, two frees), Liam Joyce and Brendan Gibbons, reduced the arrears and at half-time Islandeady trailed 0-10 to 0-7.

The opening exchanges of the second half were keenly contested and a marvellous two-pointer from Islandeady's Zac Collins on 42 minutes, restored parity at 0-11 apiece.

Louisburgh’s Oisin Lally and Dylan Prendergast (free) regained a two point lead for Eugene O’Toole’s troops, but Islandeady refused to wilt and Darragh Joyce landed a well-taken free on 47 minutes.

Following a point from Louisburgh’s Dylan Prendergast, Islandeady went for broke and points from Brendan Gibbons and Darragh Joyce (free) received a significant boost when Zac Collins found the back of the net to shunt the green and white into a 1-14 to 0-14 lead.

Dylan Prendergast desperately tried to rescue the situation for his Louisburgh team-mates and he guided over a free.

However, Islandeady galvanized their lead courtesy of late points from Zac Collins and Brendan Gibbons, and the green and white held on to claim the spoils.

Full match report to follow inside Tuesday's edition of the Connaught Telegraph.