PREVIEW | Na Piarsaigh and Drom aim for swift return to senior ranks as they meet in IFC decider

Both sides were playing senior football just two years ago with one just an hour away from returning to the top table.

A busy weekend of Limerick county finals for both hurling and football is fast approaching with the IFC decider between Na Piarsaigh and Dromcollogher Broadford part of the billing this Saturday.

Askeaton host the clash of sides at 3pm.

The sides have regularly met before at senior level, with both teams dropping down to Intermediate within the last two years with Drom Broadford being relegated in 2020 and Na Piarsaigh last season.

The teams have responded well however, with Na Piarsaigh remaining unbeaten in their first season back at the level while Dromcollogher Broadford put last season’s quarter-final disappointment behind them to top their group with just one loss on their record.

Paths to the Final

Na Piarsaigh

• R1 : 0-12 : 0-9 v St. Senan’s (W)
• R2 : W/O : 0-0 v Bruff (W)
• R3 : 0-8 : 1-5 v Crecora Manister (D)
• R4 : 1-11 : 1-7 v St. Patrick’s (W)
• R5 : W/O : 0-0 v Glin (W)
• SF : 3-12 : 3-10 v Mungret St. Pauls (W)

Dromcollogher Broadford

• R1 : 1-13 : 2-8 v Fr. Casey’s (W)
• R2 : 2-8 : 5-9 v Rathkeale (L)
• R3 : 1-8 : 0-10 v Mungret St. Pauls (W)
• R4 : 2-15 : 0-14 v Gerald Griffins (W)
• R5 : 3-11 : 0-5 v Pallasgreen (W)
• SF : 3-5 : 2-5 v St. Senan’s

The last time the two sides went head-to-head was the SHC relegation semi-final of 2020 where Na Piarsaigh edged out a tightly contested game to win 0-14 to 0-10 with Drom suffering relegation after a loss to Galbally in the decider.

That brought an end to one of the greatest tenures in the Limerick SFC where the West Limerick side claimed seven titles as well as the county’s maiden Munster triumph, coming back in 2008.

It has been six years since Drom Broadford played in a final, where they were on the losing side in the 2016 SFC Final against Monaleen. Their previous winning experience in a decider came in 2013 when they bested the same outfit.

Na Piarsaigh, on the other hand, were successful in their most recent final in 2014, when they were crowned Intermediate champions against St Senans. That game was played at Saturday’s venue with the Caherdavin side recording a 3-11 to 1-15 win to secure promotion.

It will be the first of three county finals for the City side with the Senior Hurling decider just over 24 hours after the football and the Intermediate Hurling final to be played next weekend.

Last Ten Limerick IFC Winners

2021 – Kildimo Pallaskenry

2020 – Claughaun

2019 – Galtee Gaels

2018 – Galbally

2017 – St. Senans

2016 – Adare

2015 – Oola

2014 – Na Piarsaigh

2013 – Sean Finns

2012 – Pallasgreen

Both will certainly feel that they belong back in the top tier but there is only room for one with either side certainly having the credentials to secure the coveted promotion.

Na Piarsaigh face Dromcollogher Broadford this Saturday at 3:30pm in the Intermediate Football Championship final.