GAA
We are down to the last four in the Limerick SFC with a mouth-watering semi-final tie down for decision this Sunday with Adare set to take on Newcastle West in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.
This game is a repeat of the 2017 county final where Adare upset the odds to secure a first-ever senior county crown.
Adare come into the game as back-to-back county champions, with a 100% record and an undefeated run that stretches back to 15 June 2017.
They accounted for Monaleen, Fr Casey’s, Ballysteen, St Senan’s and Ballylanders en route to the semi finals.
Adare manager Harry Gleeson said they we will be fully focused on Sunday’s opponents and that any talk of a three in a ow in the wake of that round five win over Ballylanders.
“We don’t look at that three in a row situation because many people fall over that hurdle. We’ll just start to focus on the semi-final, do what we need to do.”
Their opponents Newcastle West have come through the back door this year after failing to earn county honours when finishing top of the table in 2017 & 2018. They were victorious over Ballysteen in the quarter finals winning out 1-10 to 1-7 having trailed for much of the game.
The manner of that comeback victory should provide Newcastle West with confidence as they prepare for the daunting task that the men in red and black provide.
Limerick joint captain Iain Corbett was key to the comeback against Ballysteen and is fully aware of the task at hand for his side.
“Adare are the team to beat in the county. They’ve won the last two titles. They haven’t lost a (knockout) game in two and a half years. That’s the challenge, but we will work for the next two weeks and see where it takes us.”
When these sides met in the decider in 2017, Newcastle were seen as huge favourites against an Adare side who had only been promoted from the Intermediate grade a year previously.
However, a late Jack English goal would secure a three-point win, giving Adare their first ever title at the grade. Twelve months later they would repeat the trick. This time against Ballylanders.
Equipped with a dazzling forward unit, Adare have the firepower to hurt any team and if Newcastle are to end their 15 game-winning run then they will have to figure out how to halt this intricate link up play.
Most of their play comes through Hugh Bourke and Mikey Lyons, with the pair afforded a license to roam around the field. Their accuracy is incredible and allows Adare to play on the front foot.
However, Newcastle West have a couple of tricky match-ups of their own with Corbett almost unstoppable on his day.
Club stalwarts Stephen Kelly and Mike McMahon are also key, with the latter’s introduction in the quarter final proving vital.
Slowing down Adare is far easier said than done and they will correctly be favoured to move onto a fourth consecutive county final.
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