Preview | Limerick look to bolter their promotion hopes against Westmeath in crucial NFL clash

Saturday’s game promises to have huge implications on the remainder of the Division 3 campaign for both sides.

Limerick play Westmeath in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 on Saturday 12 March at 7pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Billy Lee’s side look to continue their brilliant form of late with another win after recovering form their only setback with the W against Wicklow.

Westmeath on the other hand, have only won two of their four games so far despite being pre-League favourites for promotion.

Westmeath have dominated this fixture in recent times, winning each of the six meetings between the sides since the turn of the century with the Leinster side eliminating Limerick from the championship in 2019.

Last Four Meetings

• 2019 AISFC QRd2: Westmeath 2-13 : 1-10 Limerick
• 2017 NFL: Limerick 0-12 : 1-18 Westmeath
• 2016 NFL: Limerick 0-7 : 3-14 Westmeath
• 2011 NFL: Limerick 0-12 : 0-14 Westmeath

The Lake County were relegated from Division 2 last year but have struggled to adapt to their new surroundings, suffering defeats to Louth and Longford. The loss last weekend in particular will sting the Westmeath faithful with Longford without a win prior to the game.

Limerick have been near flawless thus far, with a final quarter collapse against Louth the only strike against their name.

Lee has been able to deal with the loss of a number of players, both prior to the season and during the League, with minimal fuss with the Shannonsiders picking up wins against Longford, Antrim and Wicklow.

The aforementioned two came away from home with Limerick showing their ability to get it done on the road.

League results so far

Limerick

Rd1: bt Longford 4-9 to 1-11

Rd2: bt Antrim 2-9 to 0-11

Rd3: lost to Louth 1-12 to 1-14

Rd4: bt Wicklow 1-13 to 1-9

Westmeath

Rd1: bt Wicklow 1-16 to 2-8

Rd2: bt Laois 2-11 to 1-11

Rd3: lost to Longford 0-10 to 0-14

Rd4: lost to Louth 1-13 to 1-15

Limerick currently sit atop the standings in Division 3 on six points, one clear of three sides. Louth and Fermanagh, who meet this weekend, trail Limerick by a point, as do Antrim.

This weekend’s opponents Westmeath, are a point further back with both Laois and Longford on three. Wicklow prop up the table on a solitary point.

Saturday’s game will have huge repercussions for the League with another win for Limerick going a long way towards promotion and all but eliminating Westmeath from the reckoning.

However, a loss could see Billy Lee’s side slip to fourth with two games to play.

Limerick host Westmeath in the National Football League 5th Round on Saturday at 7pm in the TUS Gaelic Grounds.