Limerick Senior Football Championship Round One Preview

The Limerick Senior Football Championship returns tomorrow night after a long hiatus.

Ten months ago Newcastle West were crowned champions beating Oola in the final after an enjoyable summer of football.

There are four games to kick start the groups this weekend

Check them out below.

Group 1

Newcastle West v Drom Broadford

Saturday August 15 in Mick Neville Park at 7pm

The reigning champions kick off the competition on Saturday evening as they take on West rivals Drom Broadford. These sides have met in two finals over the past decade, splitting those games. However, their 2019 campaign’s could not have gone much differently as Newcastle were crowned winners while Drom narrowly avoided relegation against St Senans. These sides also met in the first round of the championship last summer with NCW winning out 1-20 to 1-12. The loser of this tie will face Ballysteen next weekend with Drom looking likely to be that side.

Group 2

Adare v Na Piarsaigh

Saturday August 15 in Ballybrown at 7pm

The 2017 and ’18 Limerick SFC champions play the 2017 and ’18 SHC winners in round one. Since their return to the top tier in 2017, Adare have been near flawless, winning a pair of titles and their last ten group games. Their opponents Na Piarsaigh have underperformed in the championship since reaching the last four in 2016, contesting the relegation final in 2018 and winning just two games last year. It will be interesting to see how many of the hurling contingent they will have at their disposal as with a full strength side they will be a match for anyone. When they last met in 2018, Adare had 12-points to spare and it is hard to look past Adare getting their year off the ground with a win tomorrow.

Group 3

St Kierans v Galbally

Sunday August 16 in Kilmallock at 7pm

When these sides met in the final round last summer, St Kierans destroyed the South Side as they won out 4-15 to 1-6 to seal a place in the knockout stages. Kierans would go on to contest the semi-finals where they fell to Oola. However, it is difficult to envisage a similar result this term with Galbally now having a full year of Senior Football under their belt. Furthermore, St Kierans will be without their two key men in Darragh Treacy and Sean McSweeney who are out of the country. That will swing the balance towards Galbally but Kierans should still have enough to overcome.

Group 4

Oola v Galtee Gaels

Sunday August 16 in Herbertstown at 7pm

Galtee Gaels begin their Senior campaign against last year’s beaten finalists Oola. After a tough 2019 Intermediate championship, the men from the Galtee Gaels were the lst ones standing after seeing off Gerald Griffins in a replay. Nonetheless, they will be outsiders against Oola who fell only to Newcastle last year. The loss of Richie English is as big a blow for the footballers as it is for the hurlers but Oola should still have enough firepower to put away the promoted side. However, it promises to be a close contest.