Limerick SFC Round 3 Preview with Matt O’Callaghan.

So after a break of almost two months, the Limerick Senior Football Championship returns this evening and over the next four days we should have a better idea of who is in with a shout of the knock out stages and who will be looking over their shoulders at the dreaded drop.

Listen to Matt’s predictions here.

Group one is a very tight affair with only one point separating the top three sides while 5th placed Fr Casey’s are only 3 points off the top spot.

Adare v Drom / Broadford sees a classic clash of youth versus experience and with both sides on 3 points each.

Drom-Broadford eased past Na Piarsaigh in round 1 but were less than convincing against Rathkeale managing only a draw.

For their part, Adare have been a breath of fresh air to the Senior ranks and will certainly have a crack at their more illustrious opponents.

Matt’s prediction: Adare in a close encounter

Fr Caseys v Rathkeale is a tale of two sides desperately seeking a win to bolster their knock out aspirations while on the flip side, a defeat could see them looking over their shoulders at the dreaded sixth spot.

Rathkeale will feel like the let Drom / Bradford off the hook in the last round and will be looking to make up for that missed opportunity.

For their part, Fr Casey’s have had an indifferent start only managing a draw against Adare in the opener while being outclassed by Monaleen in the last round.

Matt’s prediction: Rathkeale to shade it but only just. 

Monaleen v Na Piarsaigh will be the second meeting of the two clubs at senior level in the space of a week with Na Piarsaigh coming out on top last week in the hurling.

Don’t however expect the Caherdavin side to do the double over their cross city rivals as Monaleen have two wins from two games and have been superb so far this season. They look to determined to defend their county title and should have enough to make it three wins on the bounce and secure a spot in the knockout stages.

Matt’s prediction: Monaleen to make it 3 from 3.  

St Patrick’s v St Kierans is one of the harder games to call across the weekend with both sides on two points from two games going into their clash on Friday night.

St Kierans beat Oola by three points in round two of the SFC and a victory over their city opponents will put them in with a strong chance of reaching the knockout stages. They could and should have been on 4 points but for a late goal from Ballylanders in their opening game to deny them the victory.

St Patrick’s will have similar intentions but have injury concerns around the pivotal Gearoid Hegarty who is still recovering from an ankle injury.

Matt’s prediction: St Kierans just to edge it.  

Oola v Ballylanders both have one victory from their two championship games so far in what is a very congested group

Ballylanders edged St Kierans by a point in round one but were overrun by Newcastlewest in their last outing.

Oola, similarly, had a narrow victory in round one but fell to St Kierans in their second round game.

Matt’s prediction: Ballylanders.  

Newcastlewest v Ballysteen. Like Monaleen in Group 1 Newcastlewest have been the stand out performers in Group 2 with two runaway victories scoring a whopping 9-26.

Ballysteen had opportunities to win both of their games so far but couldn’t get the job done. Despite this, their recent success in the West Senior Championship will certainly boos their confidence.

Matt’s prediction: Newcastlewest to make it 3 wins on the bounce.