PREVIEW | Newcastle West face Austin Stacks seeking first Munster final berth since 1987

Tralee is the venue this Sunday for the Munster Senior Club Football Championship semi-final.

Kerry kingpins Austin Stacks will have home advantage this Sunday when they welcome Newcastle West to Tralee in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship semi-final.

Newcastle West picked up Limerick’s first win in the championship in 13 years when they overcame the Nire at home a fortnight ago.

The following day, Austin Stacks outlasted Kerins O’Rahilly’s to seal the county title and a place in the provincial series.

Path to the Munster Semi-Final

Newcastle West

• Limerick Rd 1: bt Galbally 0-9 to 0-7
• Limerick Rd 2: bt Fr Caseys 3-9 to 0-10
• Limerick QF: bt Claughaun 1-15 to 1-7
• Limerick SF: bt Monaleen 0-10 to 0-9
• Limerick Final: bt Adare 1-8 to 0-5
• Munster QF: bt the Nire 0-8 to 0-6

Austin Stacks

• Kerry Rd 1: bt East Kerry 1-7 to 1-5
• Kerry QF: bt South Kerry 0-14 to 0-6
• Kerry SF: bt St Brendans 2-9 (5) to 1-12 (3) AET
• Kerry Final: bt Kerins O’Rahilly’s 0-13 to 0-10

Newcastle West’s win over the Nire would have been particularly pleasing to the side after they went so close in 2015 and ’19.

After ending a 23-year wait for county honours in 2015, the Magpies surrendered a lead against Clonmel Commercials in the Munster quarter-final before losing out to Nemo by three points at the same stage four years later. On both occasions, the side that beat Newcastle went on to win Munster honours.

The year prior to NCW’s breakthrough in ’15, Austin Stacks were winning Munster Club SFC honours for the second time, adding to their title in 1974.

Munster Senior Club Football Championship Roll of Honour

• 2020: N/A
• 2019: Nemo Rangers
• 2018: Dr Crokes
• 2017: Nemo Rangers
• 2016: Dr Crokes
• 2015: Clonmel Commercials
• 2014: Austin Stacks
• 2013: Dr Crokes
• 2012: Dr Crokes
• 2011: Dr Crokes
• 2010: Nemo Rangers

As mentioned previously, Newcastle will be looking to reach the provincial final for the first time in 34-years when they were beaten by Nemo Rangers.

For Stacks there are a number of the 2014 still involved in the form of Donaghy, Wayne Guthrie, Conor Jordan, Barry Shanahan, Shane O’Callaghan and Greg Horan to name a few.

That makes the Kerry outfit heavy favourites to advance with bookmakers making them 1/6 to advance with Newcastle West 9/2.

But despite the odds being stacked against them, Newcastle West will fancy themselves with the long wait for a championship win already achieved.

Throw in this Sunday is 1.30pm in Austin Stack Park Tralee.

Get your tickets for the game here.