PREVIEW | Holders Newcastle West battle it out with Monaleen in first SFC semi-final

The sides prepare to face each other for the second time this season.

The four remaining sides in the 2022 Senior Football Championship will be narrowed down to two when the semi-finals take place this weekend.

In the opening tie, reigning champions Newcastle West will look to move an inch closer to retaining their title when they face Monaleen in Askeaton on Sunday.

The sides have met previously this season, with Newcastle West notching a 2-7 to 0-8 opening day victory, which would be the first win from a flawless five for Jimmy Lee’s side.

Monaleen had to work that extra bit harder to make it to the semi-final berth with their quarter-final win over St. Kieran’s three weeks ago. The game finished 0-9 to 0-6 in favour of the City side. Meanwhile, NCW booked their place in the final four almost four weeks ago, with their final day win over Fr. Casey’s resulting in a first placed finish.

The clash is a repeat of the semi-final last season, when both sides met in the final four with Newcastle West edging Monaleen out with a one point victory, with the score ending 0-11 to 0-10.

Previous Meetings

• 2021 SHC Semi-Final – Newcastle West 0-11 : 0-10 Monaleen
• 2017 SHC Semi-Final – Newcastle West 2-10 : 0-9 Monaleen
• 2016 SHC Group Stage – Newcastle West 1-10 : 0-13 Monaleen
• 2013 SHC Group Stage – Newcastle West 0-7 : 0-11 Monaleen
• 2012 SHC Group Stage – Newcastle West 0-10 : 0-8 Monaleen

The two sides have been main-stays in the Senior Football Championship, so have faced each other on a numerous amount of occasions, with NCW edging them out in terms of previous meetings.

Newcastle West can level Monaleen on SFC titles if they go on to win the rest of the tournament with NCW currently on five. They can win their third title in four years while Monaleen are gunning for their first title in six years. That was also the last time Monaleen reached the decider.

For Newcastle West, putting back to back titles together is something that has eluded them

Jimmy Lee’s side will be hoping to make it a hat-trick of semi-final victories over Monaleen on Sunday while their opponents will be out for revenge and looking to dethrone the champions.

Newcastle West take on Monaleen this Sunday in Askeaton at 1pm in the Senior Football Championship semi-final.