PREVIEW: Adare meet Ballysteen in all-West Limerick SFC quarter-final derby

Defending Champions Adare take on Ballysteen in the Limerick SFC quarter-final this Sunday.

The game throws in at the Bog Garden at 1pm with a place in the semi-final up for grabs.

Adare continued their imperious group stage form with two consecutive wins. They beat both Oola and Na Piarsaigh with the same scoreline, 1-13 to 0-6 to top group two. Those wins take Adare’s recent group stage record to 13 wins out or 14 since 2018, their only reversal coming last year against Fr Caseys with their position in the quarter-finals confirmed.

This weekend’s opponents Ballysteen won their group one opener against St Kieran by a solitary point before losing out to Galtee Gaels with their place in the quarter finals guaranteed prior to throw in. They have done so without the services of intercounty star Danny Neville who is abroad for the season.

The sides have only met once since Adare’s promotion back to the top tier, coming in a group game in 2019 where Adare ran out 1-14 to 1-9 winners in this weekend’s venue. That year both sides lost to Newcastle West in the knockout stages as Adare relinquished their crown after back to back successes in 2017 and 2018, their first years back in the senior ranks.

Recent meetings

• 2019: Adare 1-14 : 1-9 Ballysteen
• 2015: Ballysteen 1-14 : 0-5 Adare
• 2014: Ballysteen 3-14 : 0-6 Adare
• 2009: Ballysteen 1-9 : 1-7 Adare

Interestingly, Ballysteen’s last win over Adare came in 2015, a 1-14 to 0-5 win as the red and black side would go on to be relegated.

But their fortunes have turned drastically in the meantime, as they won the Intermediate championship at the first time of asking, as well as three of the last four senior titles. As such they are looking for a fifth successive semi-final berth, winning both of their previous quarter-final encounters in 2018 and 2020.

Ballysteen will be looking for back to back semi-final appearances for the first time and just a fourth overall since they were crowned Intermediate champions in 2008. In the quarter-finals last year they defeated Fr Caseys, 0-19 to 0-12, three weeks after the Abbeyfeale beat Adare. Ballysteen were beaten by Ballylanders in the last four.

But Adare were the last team left standing in last years championship, beating reigning champions Newcastle West, Galbally and Ballylanders en route to a third ever championship title.

Adare v Ballysteen in the Limerick Senior Football Championship quarter-final throws in this Sunday in the Bog Garden at 1pm.

It is a ticket only event with tickets available for purchase in the link below.

Adare v Ballysteen Tickets