Preview | Castlemahon face tough task of Fossa and the Cliffords with a place in the Munster Junior Final on offer

A six point victory in the quarter-final over Shamrocks of Waterford two weeks ago booked Castlemahon’s place in the last four.

Limerick Premier Junior Football Champions Castlemahon are just one game away from a place in the Munster Final as they prepare to face Kerry champions Fossa this Saturday in Coolyroe.

Throw-in at Quaid Park will be 1pm while the other semi-final between Cork’s Kilmurry and Thurles Sarsfields of Tipperary will be played simultaneously in Templetuohy.

Despite the Senior and Intermediate semi-finals also being played this weekend, the clash in Coolyroe is arguably the standout encounter with Footballer of the Year David Clifford alongside his All-Star brother Paudie key cogs to the Fossa side.

Nonetheless, Castlemahon head into Saturday’s clash on a high following a win in their first Munster Championship appearance in nine years against Shamrocks. It was an extremely tight encounter with only three point separating the sides with All-Star Seamus Flanagan starring as he notched 1-5 of his side’s tally to send them into the last-four.

It was a seventh consecutive win for the Limerick JAFC champions who have been unstoppable since their opening round loss to Cappamore, including a final win over Feenagh-Kilmeedy in early November.

Path to the Semi-Final

Castlemahon

• R1: 2-8 : 1-13 v Cappamore (L)
• R2: 6-14 : 2-7 v Monaleen (W)
• R3: 4-7 : 0-8 v Monagea (W)
• R4: 2-12 : 0-10 v Mountcollins (W)
• R5: 1-10 : 0-8 v Feenagh-Kilmeedy (W)
• SF: 0-17 : 0-8 v Cappamore (W)
• Final : 3-10 : 0-7 Feenagh-Kilmeedy (W)
• Munster QF : Castlemahon 1-18 : 2-12 Shamrocks (W)

Fossa, on the other hand, were handed a semi-final place automatically following their Kerry Premier Junior Football Championship final win over Listry. It took extra time for the East Kerry outfit to complete a 4-15 to 0-22 victory.

Instrumental to their final win were the inevitable Clifford brothers, Paudie and David, as they contributed to over 75% of their team’s score including a sensational point by footballer of the year David to send the game to extra-time. They combined for 3-13 in the extra-time victory.

They pair will certainly need to be pressured by the Castlemahon players as they have shown their ability as difference-makers at the intercounty level as both claimed a first All-Ireland title in July. For club, Paudie generally operates at centre back with David in the full forward line.

Injured Castlemahon captain James Guinea is excited at the prospect of seeing his side host two of the best footballers in the country but believes his side have the players to compete.

“It would be great to get the two Cliffords and the two Flanagans on the same pitch but sure look county champions they’ll be able to play football at the end of the day”

Sixty minutes stand between Castlemahon and a shot at Munster honours, but they’ll need to be at their very best to get the better of the Kerry champions and their dynamic duo.

Castlemahon face Fossa at 1pm in Coolyroe this Saturday in the Munster Junior Football Semi-Final.