Limerick SFC round two preview

Weekly Observer sports writer Matt O’Callaghan talks Senior Football Championship round two fixtures and what we can expect.

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Round Two of the Limeick SFC takes place this weekend with 5 games to be played across Friday and Saturday. There will be three games played on Friday with two taking place on Saturday evening. The Saturday evening clash between Na Piarsaigh and Adare has been postponed until the 20th of May. Both sides will be in Limerick SHC action next weekend.

The Football championship takes a seven week break after this weekend as the Limerick SHC kicks off and Limerick face Munster championship clashes against Clare in Hurling and Football.

Group 1

Monaleen V Fr Casey’s

Friday April 28 @7.30pm in Mick Neville Park

Despite missing a number of players from last years county winning side, such as Barry Fitzpatrick and John O’Dwyer, Monaleen cruised past Rathkeale in the opening round of the 2017 Limerick SFC, recording a 3-12 to 1-12 win over the west Limerick club.

Fr Casey’s can count themselves luck to have snatched a draw against Adare in their opener as they trailed for the majority of the game. Furthermore, the loss of inter county player David Ward to injury will be a massive loss to Caseys.

These sides met in the group stage last year with Monaleen coming out on top 0-12 to 1-7. This clash promises to be as close as last years encounter.

Drom-Broadford V Rathkeale

Saturday April 29 @7pm in Newcastle West

Drom Broadford got their campaign off to a highly impressive start against Na Piarsaigh last Thursday, recording a comprehensive 2-13 to 1-5 victory. Despite Seanie Buckley missing out with injury, Drom made light work of the 2015 IFC winners, with Paul Madigan and Cillian Fahy goaling for Drom.

Rathkeale faced a daunting task in Round 1 against the reigning champions. The game was practically over at half time with Monaleen leading 2-7 to 0-4. Rathkeale responded well and outscored their opponents in the second period. They will know that a similar start against the 2013 champions will see them lose out again.

Group 2

Ballylanders V Newcastle West

Friday April 28 @7pm in Bruff

Newcastle found their goalscoring touch last weekend, blasting 5 past St Pats to score a comfortable 5-12 to 3-7. This was a far cry from the NCW side we saw in 2016 that limped out against Fr Casey’s in the quarter final. Their opening round win is all the more impressive considering Brian O’Sullivan, Stephen Nix and Sean Murphy wewr absent from their starting line up.

Ballylanders snatched a late winner against St Kierans in the first round. U21 All Ireland hurling medallist David McCarthy secured the win for Ballylanders, pouncing on Jimmy Barry Murphy’s short 45′, sealing a one point victory. Although trailing for most of the game, Ballylanders will take encouragement from the win.

St Patrick’s V Ballysteen

Friday April 28 @7pm in Clarina

Both sides opened up their campaigns with defeats at the hands of Newcastle West and Oola respectively. St Pat’s will be disappointed to concede 5 goals and will look to shore up their defence against Ballysteen. Pa Mullins, Gary Neville and Eoin Hanrahan were missing for the Rhebogue men in round 1 and are still doubts heading into the weekend.

Ballysteen got off to a dream start against Oola, going 1-1 to no score ahead in the opening 5 minutes. Yet Oola outscored them 3-10 to 0-4 over the next half hour. Despite a late fightback, Ballysteen couldn’t find an equalizer against the 2015 IFC winners. Ballysteen simply left themselves with too much work to do.

Both teams will be desperate for a first win heading into the 7 week break.

St Kieran’s V Oola

Saturday 29 April @7pm in Bruff

St Kieran’s will be very disappointed not to have come away with the spoils against Ballylanders, losing to a last minute goal despite dominating the game from start to finish. They will be hoping for the same kind of performance with more composure at the end.

Oola were impressive in the last round, overcoming a late Ballysteen comeback to secure a 3-10 to 3-8 victory in Mungret. They will be keen to record a second victory before Doon open their hurling season next weekend as Darragh O’Donovan and Richie English are key to both teams.

These teams played out a draw in the group stages last year.