SFC Round Up | Newcastle West and Adare confirm semi-final spots as group stage concludes

The final six in the Limerick Senior Football Championship is set after the concluding round of the group stages.

Last year’s finalists Newcastle West and Adare have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Limerick SFC after going through the group stages with 100% records.

Both will take a week break this weekend with the quarter-finals to be played.

In group one, Newcastle West ensured their place in the last four with a 0-12 to 0-11 win over Fr Caseys in their winner take all clash at the top of the table. In Dromcollogher, the Abbeyfeale men led by a point at the break, but a late surge was enough for NCW as Caseys could only get within one.

Monaleen booked their place in the quarter-finals in style as they put Claughaun to the sword with a 3-12 to 0-7 win in Mungret. Brian Donovan got the 2016 champions off the mark from the penalty spot as they put the game to bed in the first half as Shane Cusack’s goal helped them into a 2-9 to 0-3 lead. Donnacha O’Dalaigh bagged the third as Monaleen ran out 14-point winners.

Oola avoided the relegation final with their first win of the season as their 2-14 to 4-4 win over Galbally was enough to resign their opponents to a clash with Ballylanders in the decider. In a goal fest in the first half, the sides exchanged five green flags, heading into the interval level at 3-2 to 2-5. But Oola found the crucial second half scores as Galbally could only add 1-2 to their score as they now face South rivals Ballylanders in the relegation final this Sunday.

In group two, Adare won their top of the table clash with St Kierans to book a semi-final berth. Adare led by a point at the half which increased to five after Mark Connolly and Liam Kennedy exchanged green flags. St Kierans did bag a second but it wasn’t enough as Adare held on for a 1-15 to 2-8 victory to make it five from five.

A late Danny Frewen goal earned the points for Ballylanders as they erased Galtee Gaels hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Already assured of a place in the relegation final, Bally went five clear when Stephen Fox goaled with Galtee Gaels reduced to 14-men. They maintained that lead to the half but the Gaels then took the lead with Robbie Childs goaling from the spot. However, trailing by two, Frewen struck for goal to make it 2-8 to 1-10 bringing Galtee’s season to a close.

That result meant Kildimo Pallaskenry’s 0-10 to 1-7 draw with Ballysteen was enough for the City side to advance to the quarter finals at the expense of the men from the West due to KP’s superior scoring difference. An early David O’Shaughnessy goal had Ballysteen four clear after a tentative first half but slowly KP got closer until they levelled with ten to play. They took the lead briefly but an O’Shaughnessy double looked to have earned the points and a place in the quarters for Bally. But Peter Nash was awarded the chance to level late on with a simple free which he dully obliged to send KP through.

Limerick SFC Round Five Results

Newcastle West 0-12 : 0-11 Fr Caseys

Monaleen 3-12 : 0-7 Claughaun

Oola 2-14 : 4-4 Galbally

St Kierans 1-15 : 2-8 St Kierans

Kildimo Pallaskenry 0-10 : 1-7 Ballysteen

Ballylanders 2-8 : 1-10 Galtee Gaels