PREVIEW | Limerick and Louth bid for National title in Division 3 League final

Limerick meet Louth in the Division 3 National League final this Saturday.

Division Three bragging rights will be on offer this Saturday in Croke Park as Limerick take on Louth in the National League final at 4.45pm.

With promotion already ensured for both sides, the title of national champions will be on the line in GAA HQ.

Last Ten Winners of Division Three:

• 2021: Derry
• 2020: Cork
• 2019: Westmeath
• 2018: Armagh
• 2017: Tipperary
• 2016: Clare
• 2015: Armagh
• 2014: Roscommon
• 2013: Monaghan
• 2012: Longford

Limerick and Louth have already met this year with the Leinster side taking the W from their meeting in UL. Limerick led by five with ten to play but with the aid of the elements, Louth kicked seven successive scores down the stretch for the win.

It was their first win over the Shannonsiders in eleven years with the teams splitting the last four meetings.

Last Four Meetings

• 2009 NFL: Louth 1-14 to 0-6 Limerick
• 2011 NFL: Louth 1-11 to 1-14 Limerick
• 2015 NFL: Louth 2-13 to 2-15 Limerick
• 2022 NFL: Limerick 1-12 to 1-14 Louth

Louth have earned back to back promotions from a campaign that seemed to be faltering at the start. They began life in division three with a loss to Laois and needed a last minute score with Longford to salvage a draw.

But the win over Limerick in round three kickstarted their campaign as they won five on the trot to move into the second tier.

Limerick also had five wins from their campaign but were pushed all the way against Laois in their penultimate game. That win in Portlaoise set up a final round tie with Fermanagh where a win would have ensured promotion.

Lee’s side left little to chance and were terrific on the day in a 1-16 to 0-14 win.

League results so far

Limerick Results:

• Round One: Bt Longford 4-9 to 1-11
• Round Two : Bt Antrim 2-9 to 0-11
• Round Three : Lost to Louth 1-14 to 1-12
• Round Four : Bt Wicklow 1-13 to 1-9
• Round Five : Lost to Westmeath 1-12 to 1-6
• Round Six : Bt Laois 0-15 to 0-14
• Round Seven : Bt Fermanagh 1-16 to 0-14

Louth Results:

• Round One : Lost to Laois 3-9 to 1-10
• Round Two : Draw with Longford 1-6 to 0-9
• Round Three : Bt Limerick 1-14 to 1-12
• Round Four : Bt Westmeath 1-15 to 1-13
• Round Five : Bt Fermanagh 2-12 to 0-14
• Round Six : Bt Antrim 1-12 to 1-8
• Round Seven: Bt Wicklow 2-17 to 1-13

The previous game in UL will count for little on Saturday with the conditions on that day far from ideal. Mickey Harte’s side are favourites for the title after toppng the league table but Limerick will have no fear of the Leinster men.

It has the makings of a great final on Saturday.