Listen – Matt O’Callaghan reviews round 5 of the Limerick SFC.

Fr Casey’s v Na Piarsaigh

If Fr Caseys were going to have a serious run at the title they had to overcome Na Piarsaigh but it wasn’t to be for for Casey’s who fell to a 2-12 to 1-10 defeat. While Na Piarsaigh ensured that they would avoid the relegation play-off as they secured their second championship win on the bounce.

Matt: “Na Piarsaigh must be now wondering, had they found their form earlier in the competition what might have been.”

Adare v Rathkeale

Adare claimed a 2-10 to 1-10 win over Rathkeale to set up a quarter final meeting with Ballylanders. Last seasons Intermediate Champions have impressed this season and not only consolodated their place in the senior ranks but managed to make it through to the knockout stages. Rathkeale on the other hand will now face into a relegation play-off with Ballysteen.

Matt: “Maybe a bit more slightly convincing than 2-10 to 1-10 would suggest but given the conditions, which were atrotious, there’s great credit due to both sides.. It’s more than Adare deserve, to be in the knockout stages.”

Drom-Broadford v Monaleen

Drom-Broadford showed their class again this year and are through to their 18th straight semi-final as they saw off defending champions Monaleen 0-11 to 0-6. While Monaleen will take on Oola in the quarter-finals.

“Matt: I felt they were going to win this one, their backs were to the wall. They came very close to being eliminated from the knock-out stages last year, that doesn’t sit well in Drom-Broadford.. from what I’m hearing it was as convincing as the scoreline would suggest.”

Ballysteen v Ballylanders

Ballylanders avoided a relegation play-off and managed to set up a quarter-final showdown with Adare following a 2-12 to 1-12 win over Ballysteen. Both sides knew what they had t do coming into Friday night’s encounter and, unfortunately for Ballysteen the loss has resigned them to a relegation play-off with Rathkeale.

“Matt: The win was probably a little more convincing that 2-12 to 1-12 would suggest in that Ballysteen got a goal with the very last action of the game. You would have to say that Ballylanders produced some very good passages of football in the second half.”

Oola v St Patrick’s

Both sides came into the game level on four points. Neither were in danger of a relegation play-off spot so both could go all out in search of a quarter-final place. It was Oola who managed to seize the opportunity as they secured a 4-11 to 2-4 victory, setting up a quarter-final with champions Monaleen.

Matt: “They (Oola) certainly know how to find the net.. full credit to them.. they will be no pushover for champions Monaleen when it comes to the quarter-final.”

St Kieran’s v Newcastlewest

The West Limerick rivals were deadlocked at the top of the group on 5 points coming into the game. It was Newcastle West who came out on top in the end as they claimed a 1-11 to 0-6 win to reach the semi-final stages, while there was heartbreak for St Kierans who missed out on a place in the knock-out phase.

Matt: “They were convincing winners, whether they recaptured the form that made them many peoples favourites at the start of the campaign, that is questionable.”

You can hear Matt O’Callaghan’s full review in the link below.

For some of the most insightful GAA writing locally, you can read Matt in the Weekly Observer (Wednesday) and Vale Star (Thursday) each week.