Power Rankings | Top two still the standard bearers as quarter-finals loom | Limerick SFC

Both Limerick Senior Football quarter-finals are down for decision this Saturday.

Less than week after the conclusion of the Limerick Senior Football Championship group stages, the final four will be confirmed as both quarters throw in.

In Newcastle West, last year’s Intermediate champions Kildimo Pallaskenry meet Fr Caseys while Bruff hosts the clash of Monaleen and St Kierans.

Both games throw in at 4pm this Saturday with Adare and Newcastle West awaiting in the semi-finals the following week.

With just six remaining in the hunt for the SFC title, we rank those clubs in their chances of claiming the trophy.

6. Kildimo Pallaskenry

Preparing for their first senior championship quarter-final, Kildimo Pallaskenry have been the story not only of the SFC but also of the hurling also with the City side in both quarter-finals. It is an incredible achievement for the side who were operating in the Junior championship as recently as 2014. They won the Junior A championship in 2018 before earning promotion to the top tier last October.

This year they became the second successive promoted side to reach the quarter-finals but unlike Clauaghun last year, KP had to navigate five group games, finishing level with Ballysteen but advancing on scoring difference. And it is that scoring threat that should cause Fr Caseys issues when they meet this Saturday.

Definitely the outsiders, but they have shown they are well capable of causing an upset.

5. Monaleen

Monaleen left it until the final weekend to secure their quarter-final spot but in doing so put in their best performance, beating Claughaun 3-12 to 0-7 to finish third in group one. The City side were too strong for Claughaun, Oola and Galbally but came unstuck against Newcastle West while they were overpowered by Fr Caseys.

They were without Brian Donovan for both losses with the Intercounty man their undisputed talisman. However, the performances against the standard bearers in the group are worrying. Nonetheless, they came into their quarter-final with St Kierans in 2018 in a very similar position, coming out with a 3-13 to 2-9 win before losing to eventual champions Adare by a single point.

They will be hoping history repeats itself this weekend.

4. St Kierans

Without a win in their last two group games, the West team head into the knockout rounds with the poorest run of form. Ballysteen held them to a draw in their penultimate group game before Adare topped the table with a comfortable fifth round win.

But after a pair of years in the relegation semi-finals, St Kierans will have been happy to just get back to winning ways as they ensured their quarter-final berth with a round to spare. They got past Kildimo Pallaskenry and Ballylanders with difficulty but it was their round three performance against Galtee Gaels that they will be looking to find this Saturday as they had nine points to spare against last year’s semi-finalists.

3. Fr Caseys

Will rue a huge chance to get one over Newcastle West over the weekend as they were beaten by a point by the defending champions in Dromcollogher. Still it was the first blemish on a very impressive campaign thus far with four wins from four coming into the clash. Sunday’s performance also heightens their credentials as the most likely to break the stranglehold of Adare and Newcastle who have split six of the last seven championships.

The Abbeyfeale men have found a blend of attacking flair to mix with defensive stability finishing the campaign with a +34 scoring difference, which is only bettered by NCW. While racking up 3-70, they have only been breached once at the other end a ten point win over Claughaun. They are blessed with a number of attacking options with scores coming from all over the field.

However, the quarter-finals have proved very troublesome for the Abberyfeale outfit with their last win at the stage coming way back in 2008 as they needed a replay to get past Pallasgreen. They did reach the semi-final in 2014 after topping their group.

They are heavily fancied to make it back to the last four nonetheless against KP.

2. Adare

One of two teams to finish the group with a 100% record, Adare continued their incredible record in the group stages of the Limerick SFC. Since their return to the top tier in 2017, they have been beaten just twice, Drom Broadford in their maiden year back at the grade and 2020 by Fr Caseys with a quarter-final place already assured.

Yet, despite winning each of their five games, Adare rarely looked as dominant as they have in recent seasons. Ballylanders, Kildimo Pallaskenry and Ballysteen all finished within a score of the 2020 champions in their respective games. In round five they did produce arguably their best display to see off the then undefeated St Kierans and they will have a fortnight to prepare for the semi-finals, for the sixth successive season.

They are without a number of key players but their know how and experience is invaluable at this stage of the season. They still seem behind the side that defeated them in last year’s final.

1. Newcastle West

The pre competition favourites have done nothing to change the mind of the bookies as the Newcastle West juggernaut continues to roll on. Stayed perfect throughout the group stages with a number of key players absent until the final round.

Look determined to retain their crown for the first time ever. Their strength in depth is unrivalled with a surplus of options for Jimmy Lee and co to choose from. Remain in the hunt in the premier intermediate championship and that looks like the only thing that could derail them.

Undoubtedly the team to beat.