Limerick v Fermanagh | Far from a fruitful fixture for the Shannonsiders as they seek promotion this weekend

Limerick welcome Fermanagh to the TUS Gaelic Grounds for the first time in eight years with promotion up for grabs for both.

Limerick’s round seven National League game with Fermanagh this weekend has huge incentives for both sides with neither ruled out of the race for promotion.

Limerick’s route is far easier, knowing a win will ensure promotion. A draw for Limerick doesn’t rule out promotion but does rely on other results while a loss makes it impossible for them to go up.

Fermanagh must beat Limerick by +17 while hoping Westmeath and Antrim play out a draw.

It’s a lot to ask for from the Ulster outfit but this league has thrown up its fair share or surprises thus far.

But for Limerick, the aim will be simple, as is their number one permutation, a win will guarantee Division 2 football for the first time since 2007.

Interestingly, that was the last time Limerick picked up a win against Fermanagh.

With the sides propping up the table, without a win, Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s side found the winning formula, taking a 2-10 to 1-8 win away from Clones.

Fermanagh led by one at the break but second half goals from Micheal Reidy and Jason O’Brien turned the tide in Limerick’s favour.

However, that would prove to be Limerick’s only win of the campaign with both sides relegated for 2008.

The following year however, Fermanagh would respond in style, winning six of their seven contests to finish atop the table, earning promotion in the process.

One of those victories came against Limerick as they avenged the defeat of the previous year with a 0-14 to 1-7 win in Lisnakea.

Both sides were relegated at the end of the 2009 season while they swapped positions for the 2011 season as Limerick were crowned Division 4 champions with Fermanagh dropping for the second successive year.

Their next meeting came in 2012 when the teas played out a 0-13 to 1-10 draw in Enniskillen. A Ger Collins goal had Limerick four clear after twenty minutes but Fermanagh reeled them in to lead with a a half an hour to play. Limerick hit five on the bounce in reply but Fermanagh’s response was enough for a share of the spoils.

Promotion ensued for Fermanagh and they were joined by 2013 Division 4 champions Limerick. In their 2014 clash, Fermanagh stifled Limerick’s hopes of a second successive promotion, claiming a 1-6 to 0-18 result in the Gaelic Grounds.

Eoin Hanrahan goaled for Limerick but they were second best as both sides missed out on promotion at the League’s conclusion.

Th following year, Fermanagh inflicted a 2-19 to 2-10 defeat on the Shannonsiders en route to topping the Division 3 table.

in Enniskillen, David Ward and Robert Browne found the net for Limerick, but again the hosts were able to keep distance as they moved back into Division 2.

Limerick were relegated to Division Four in 2016, while Fermanagh suffered a similar fate the following year, dropping to the third Division.

Promotion followed for the Ulster outfit in 2018 but after two seasons, they found themselves back in the third tier for 2021, where they were separated from Limerick, plying their trade in the northern division. They like Limerick finished second but were beaten by Offaly while Limerick fell to Derry.

This Sunday will mark their first meeting in seven years, the first in Limerick since 2014. But for Limerick, a first win in fifteen years over the Ulster men will secure promotion to Division 2.

Limerick v Fermanagh throws in this Sunday in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 2pm.