PREVIEW: Newcastle West and Monaleen meet in titanic Limerick Senior Football Semi-Final

The sides meet in a repeat of the 2017 Limerick SFC semi-final.

For the first time in four years, Limerick football powerhouses Monaleen and Newcastle West will meet as they face one another in Mick Neville Park this Sunday.

In the days second semi-final, the winners will complete the final line up with Galtee Gaels taking on Adare at 2pm.

Both sides have won each of their three contests thus far, all with minimal of fuss.

In the opening round, Newcastle West overcame Galbally 0-9 to 0-7 before defeating Fr Caseys 3-10 to 0-11 to secure top spot and a place in the quarter-finals. There they took on Claughaun in MNP where they cruised to victory. An early Sean Murphy goal proved the catalyst as they came out the right side of a 1-15 to 1-7 result in the quarters.

Monaleen sealed their place in the last eight with an opening day victory over Ballylanders where they won out 2-11 to 0-5. They weren’t as comfortable against Clauaghaun but had three points to spare over their city rivals to finish as group winners. A pair of Ross Kennedy goals helped them past Fr Caseys in the quarter-final as they advanced on a 2-8 to 1-7 scoreline in the Gaelic Grounds.

Recent Meetings

• 2017 SF: Newcastle West 2-10 : 0-9 Monaleen
• 2016: Monaleen 0-13 : 1-10 Newcastle West
• 2013: Monaleen 0-11 : 0-7 Newcastle West
• 2012: Newcastle West 0-10 : 0-8 Monaleen
• 2011 Final: Monaleen 1-12 : 1-7 Newcastle West

This is the first meeting of the sides since they met at the same stage in 2017. Monaleen came into the game as defending champions but were overturned by the 2015 kingpins. A goal in either half from Jamie Lee helped Newcastle West dethrone the City side.

The previous year they played out a draw in the group stages with Newcastle the defending champions. Both would advance to the knockout stages but it was Monaleen who reigned supreme at the end of 2016, their last time reaching the final.

Indeed the sides have split the five most recent meetings with Monaleen coming out on top when they met in the 2011 final.

This is Newcastle West’s first semi-final appearance since 2019 when they were successful against Adare, defeating the then champions in a instant classic at this weekend’s venue. The Magpies are looking for a sixth final appearance since 2011 as they boast an impressive record in the semi-final stage with just one loss in the last four in that time, coming in 2018 against Ballylanders. Twice champions since 2015, Newcastle West are seeking a fifth ever title.

Their opponents Monaleen are back in the last four for the first time since 2018, when they were beaten by Adare 1-5 to 1-4 with the West side going on to complete a back-to-back. Their last win in the semi-final came in 2016 where they beat St Patricks 2-13 to 1-10 en route to capturing a sixth title and fifth since the turn of the century. Only Drom Broadford (7) have won more championships in the last twenty years than the City men.

Monaleen will look to some familiar faces in their quest to overcome Newcastle West with Donal O’Sullivan, Eoin Keating and Ger Collins all part of the 2011 side that defeated the Magpies. Brian Donovan has come into his own this summer as the leader of the side with Mark O’Dwyer proving adept with the bag ball after his stint with the underage hurling set up.

However, when it comes to squad depth, Newcastle West have an array of talents to choose from. Iain Corbett was an All-Star nominee last summer and is partnered in midfield by Cian Sheehan. Outside of that they can call on the Hurley brothers and Sean Murphy among others with Diarmuid Kelly, Brian Nix and Brian Foley reserved on the bench during their quarter-final win over Clauaghaun. Kelly was a part of the Limerick senior set up while Foley captained the U20 side this year.

That strength in reserve makes Newcastle West favourites but Monaleen will hold no fear this Sunday. An intriguing battle lay in store.

Newcastle West take on Monaleen this Sunday in the Limerick Senior Football Championship semi-final in Mick Neville Park at 4pm.

It is a ticket only event which can be purchased below.

Newcastle West v Monaleen Tickets