PREVIEW: Newcastle West face Claughaun in first meeting in over a decade with Limerick SFC spot up for grabs

The meeting of the sides takes place this Sunday in Mick Neville.

For the first time since 20010, Newcastle West will take on Claughaun in the Limerick SFC with the pair meeting in the quarter-final this Sunday.

The City side have exceeded all expectations in their first year back in the senior ranks, earning a place in the knockout stages courtesy of an opening day win over last year’s semi-finalists Ballylanders. In their first game in the top tier since 2011, Claughaun were full value for a 3-6 to 0-14 win over Landers. They did lose their second game to Monaleen but this was with progression ensured.

Newcastle continued their imperious group stage form, winning their fourth consecutive game that brings their record to 16 wins out of their last 19 group games since 2017. In the opener they outlasted Galbally 0-9 to 0-7 but showed their suite of skills in a dominant 3-10 to 0-11 win over Fr Caseys to ensure top spot in the group.

With Claughaun languishing in the Intermediate tier since 2011, you have to go back eleven years to their previous meeting. That tie was the relegation final with both sides finishing bottom of their respective groups. Newcastle maintained their senior status with a narrow 1-7 to 2-3 win in Kilmallock to condemn Claughaun to the second tier.

Recent Meetings

• 2010 Relegation Final: Newcastle West 1-7 : 2-3 Clauaghaun
• 2009: Newcastle West 0-12 : 0-9 Claughaun

The previous year, the teams met in the opening round of the championship. On that day Newcastle West had a 0-12 to 0-9 win in Feenagh. Newcastle would qualify for the knockout stages ahead of the City side as a result, finishing one point ahead of them in the table. The following year they were relegated.

In the meantime, the sides have had vastly different fortunes. Twelve months after narrowly avoiding relegation, Newcastle West found themselves in the county final, losing to Monaleen. The following year they were in a similar situation, losing in a replay to Drom in the decider. But in 2015, they made their breakthrough, winning a first title since 1992 and only third overall. They lost the final in 2017 but two years later captured the SFC crown for the fourth time.

Just a year after suffering relegation from the Senior ranks, Claughaun almost found themselves in Junior, facing Cappamore in the Intermediate relegation final. They won on that occasion by seven points and reached the Intermediate final in 2012, losing to Pallasgreen by a point in a replay. This trend continued in 2014 where they defeated Gerald Griffins in the relegation final before losing the championship decider the following year to Oola, losing out by three points to the East side.

Last summer, Newcastle relinquished their championship crown to Adare with the 2018 champions winning by five points before going on to reclaim their title. Meanwhile Claughaun finally ended their time in the second tier at the third time of asking beating Gerald Griffins 0-10 to 0-7 in the decider.

Newcastle are the heavy favourites but with senior status retained, Claughaun have nothing to lose.

Newcastle West v Claughaun in the Limerick Senior Football Championship quarter-final throws in this Sunday in Mick Neville Park at 1pm.

It is a ticket only event with tickets available for purchase in the link below.

Newcastle West v Claughaun Tickets