All still to play for heading into penultimate round | SFC Permutations

A number of teams can seal their place in the knockout stages this weekend while the relegation play-off could also be decided with a game to spare.

The race at both ends of the Limerick Senior Football Championships certainly heated up over the weekend following a hectic third round.

Three teams maintained their 100% record in Kildimo Pallaskenry, Newcastle West and Adare while as many still remain without a point in the competition.

With the fourth round of action taking place this weekend, we look at the permutations for the twelve contenders with no team mathematically ruled out of the reckoning as of yet.

Adare and Ballylanders game has been rescheduled for Monday September 11th.

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Group One

Kildimo Pallaskenry

Results so far: Claughaun (W), Oola (W), St Kierans (W)

Remaining fixtures: Newcastle West & Fr Caseys

The current table toppers can book a semi-final spot with a win over Newcastle West this week. However, one point from their final two games will guarantee a top three finish at the least. If they draw they would be likely to finish top with another win as they currently pip NCW on scoring difference (+26 v +15).

If St Kierans are beaten by Caseys this week then they are guaranteed a knockout berth.

Newcastle West

Results so far: Fr Caseys (W), St Kierans (W), Claughaun (W)

Remaining fixtures: Kildimo Pallaskenry & Oola

The reigning back to back champions know a win over KP on Thursday will seal top spot with a game to spare. A draw would leave KP in pole position owing to their superior scoring difference as they edge NCW by eleven in that regard heading into the final pair of games.

They are not guaranteed to finish in the top three but would need to lose their last pair of games and finish level on points with Casey’s and Kierans where they could possibly lose out on scoring difference. Like KP, a Caseys win over Kierans will see them into the final six regardless.

Fr Caseys

Results so far: Newcastle West (L), Claughaun (W), Oola (W)

Remaining fixtures: St Kierans & Kildimo Pallaskenry

A win this weekend would ensure they finish in the top three regardless of the result in their final round game against KP. If they win both and Newcastle West lose this weekend, then the Abbeyfeale men will top the group and move straight into a semi-final.

Were they to lose this weekend, they would need to hope Kildimo Pallaskenry lose their final two outings and pip them on head to head. However, they could be caught in that regard if three teams finish on six points where it will come down to scoring difference, although they are at a healthy +12 in that regard as of now.

St Kierans

Results so far: Oola (W), Newcastle West (L), Kildimo Pallaskenry (L)

Remaining fixtures: Fr Caseys & Claughaun

It’s win or bust for St Kierans this Thursday when they take on Fr Caseys. A loss will end their hopes of making the knockout stages and could potentially put them in relegation danger if Oola win this weekend.

Oola

Results so far: St Kierans (L), Kildimo Pallaskenry (L), Fr Casey’s (L)

Remaining fixtures: Claughaun & Newcastle West

Oola cannot make the quarter-finals but will ensure safety with a win over Claughaun this Saturday. Should they lose, then they are guaranteed to be in the relegation play-off.

Claughaun

Results so far: Kildimo Pallaskenry (L), Fr Caseys (L), Newcastle West (L)

Remaining fixtures: Oola & St Kierans

Like Oola, Claughaun can ensure safety with a win this Saturday. However, another loss might be enough to keep safety hopes alive into the final day when they meet St Kierans as if the West side lose this weekend, a win for Claughaun in the final round would be enough to leapfrog them on head to head. Although in that situation Oola could be on level points which would send it to score difference where Claughaun currently trail those teams by -20.

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Group Two

Adare

Results so far: Monaleen (W), Na Piarsaigh (W), Galtee Gaels (W)

Remaining fixtures: Ballylanders & Ballysteen

Adare need only a point from their remaining games to make it out of the group for the seventh successive season since winning the intermediate championship. If Monaleen beat Ballysteen, then a win over Ballylanders in their rescheduled game will be enough for top spot. A victory against Ballysteen in round five will guarantee a semi-final regardless of how this weekend plays out.

Monaleen

Results so far: Adare (L), Ballylanders (W), Na Piarsaigh (W)

Remaining fixtures: Ballysteen & Galtee Gaels

Will need results elsewhere to go their way if they are to finish on top after the round one loss to Adare and need those also if they are to qualify for the knockout stages this weekend. Yet it seems unlikely they will miss out should they pick up another point from their remaining games.

Ballysteen

Results so far: Na Piarsaigh (L), Galtee Gaels (W), Ballylanders (W)

Remaining fixtures: Monaleen & Adare

The West side can finish top of the pile if they win their remaining games against Monaleen and Adare. Another win should be enough to secure a quarter-final berth but Na Piarsaigh have them on H2H while they hold that advantage over Galtee Gaels.

Galtee Gaels

Results so far: Ballylanders (W), Ballysteen (L), Adare (L)

Remaining fixtures: Na Piarsaigh & Monaleen

Need a win to win to maintain their quarter final hopes into the final round clash with Monaleen. Should they lose, they are likely to miss out on the quarters with Ballysteen holding the H2H.

Na Piarsaigh

Results so far: Ballysteen (W), Adare (L), Monaleen (L)

Remaining fixtures: Ballylanders & Galtee Gaels

Na Piarsaigh know two wins in their final outings should be enough to make it out of the group with their head to head record. But a loss to Ballylanders would put them in real relegation danger ahead of that clash with Galtee in round five.

Ballylanders

Results so far: Galtee Gaels (L), Monaleen (L), Ballysteen (L)

Remaining fixtures: Adare & Na Piarsaigh

The permutations for Ballylanders are simple. Should they lose to Adare, they will be into the relegation play-off for the second year running. However, a win would be enough to avoid that if they beat Na Piarsaigh and they fall in their final game. A draw would keep them in contention but they would need to win their final game regardless to have any chance of survival.

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