Limerick SFC Quarter Final Preview

The football takes centre stage in Limerick this weekend with a SFC quarter final double header down for decision in Kilmallock on Saturday. First up is the clash of Monaleen and St Kierans at 2.45pm which is followed by the meeting of Ballylanders and Ballysteen at 4.15pm. Newcastle and Adare await the winners in the semi-finals after topping their respective groups.

Saturday also sees the Senior Relegation Final between Na Piarsaigh and St Patricks in Claughaun at 3pm. The Premier Minor final between defending champions Mungret St Pauls and Fr Caseys throws in at 2pm in Askeaton on Saturday also.

St Kierans v Monaleen

These sides come into the game following very different results in the final round of the group stages a fortnight ago. Monaleen defeated Drom-Broadford by three points to secure their place in the knockout stages whilst St Kierans were beaten by Newcastle in their final game. Despite this however, St Kierans are the form team heading into the game. The men from the West won their opening four games and had secured a place in the knockout stages heading into their final game, with the winner of their game with Newcastle through to the last four. Contrastingly, Monaleen were reliant on Adare to defeat St Senans in round 5 to secure their passage having finished level on points with last years Intermediate champion. With Adare keeping up their end of the bargain, Monaleen advanced having beaten St Senans in round 2.

St Kierans will look to their strong spine to guide them into the last four with the likes of Johnny McCarthy, Sean McSweeney and Darragh Tracey in their ranks. However, Monaleen are highly experienced at this stage of the competition, having won the title in 2016 after a brilliant campaign. In a game with so little between the teams, this looks like it could be a tense affair, with St Kierans to edge it.

Ballylanders v Ballysteen

The second game pits Ballylanders, who finished second in Group 1 against Ballysteen who came third in Group 2 behind Newcastle West and St Kierans. Both sides picked up wins in round 5 to secure passage into the last six. Ballylanders knew a draw in their game against Na Piarsaigh would be sufficient to qualify and had three points to spare against the Caherdavin side. As for Ballysteen, heading into their game with Fr Caseys, they knew that a win was essential to qualify, which they did after blitzing the Abbeyfeale side for four goals in a thrilling contest in Newcastle.

Despite winning the county title in 2014, this is somewhat unchartered waters for both sides with the pair winning the previous two relegation finals to secure their senior status. However, both have qualified for the quarter finals on merit and promise to serve up another quality game of football. The last time these sides met was in the final group game last year where a Ballylanders win sentenced Ballysteen to a relegation final clash with Rathkeale where they won out in a replay. Ballylanders will enter the game as strong favourites but Ballysteen will have plenty to say about that. It promises to be another close contest.