Talking Points | All still to play for as Limerick lose ground in promotion chase

Limerick fell to Westmeath in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.

The chance to put one foot in Division 2 while eliminating Westmeath from the reckoning escaped the Limerick footballers on Saturday as they fell to a 1-12 to 1-6 defeat on the Ennis Rd.

Billy Lee’s side led by a point at the half but only registered one score in the second half as Westmeath deservedly took the spoils.

The results leaves Limerick in fourth on six points, level with Westmeath, a point behind Louth and Antrim, one clear of Fermanagh and Laois on five with a pair of games to play.

Below, take a look at the key points to emerge from the game.

Missed Opportunity for Limerick

Heading into the game on Saturday, Limerick had the chance to all but eliminate Westmeath from the play off picture in their first year back at the grade. Successive losses had put the Lake County outside of the reckoning but Saturday’s result has blown their chances wide open.

At the same time, Limerick have dropped three places to fourth after sitting atop the table for three of the first four weeks. The top is within sight but a win on Sunday would have had Limerick clear with the home stretch within sight.

Now just two points separate the top six sides with only the top two earning promotion. Antrim and Louth occupy those spots but they are within reach of Westmeath, who play Antrim in the final round. Limerick have had mixed results against the top two but with a pair of rounds to play, it is likely that scoring difference will come into play.

Westmeath show their class

Westmeath hit the ground running in their second week on the road and looked far more dangerous early on. Adrian Enright’s goal stemmed the tide but in the second half, the Leinster side showed their class with John Heslin and Luke Loughlin in particular impressing.

Despite only hitting 1-12, their scoring threat was obvious throughout, with a number of wides dampening their final tally.

At the other end, they did very well to curb Limerick’s attacks, with the hosts limited to one score in the second half, that coming from a placed ball.

They host Fermanagh next while a trip to Antrim awaits in the final round and it is not hard to envision a scenario where they pick up four more points to move to ten in the table.

That would leave them in pole position to earn promotion back to division two at the first attempt, but if we have learned anything from this group, there promises to be more swings.

Not all lost for Limerick

But in saying that, there is still a huge opportunity at promotion for Billy Lee’s men who can still reach ten points in the table. Antrim and Louth meet this weekend where at least one will have to drop points. A Limerick win over Laois and a draw in the top of the table clash will leave the three on eight points with one game to play. Similarly, a win for Westmeath over Fermanagh would also see them onto eight.

Westmeath also meet Antrim in the last round, meaning the Ulster side have to meet 2nd and 3rd in the final pair of games. This should work in Limerick’s favour who have Laois for company this weekend before finishing their campaign against Fermanagh.

So much still to play for, starting with Laois on Saturday evening.