State of play after two rounds in the Limerick SFC

After an exciting opening two rounds of the Limerick SFC, there is now a 14-week break until the next round of fixtures, with the Limerick SHC taking centre stage over the next fortnight before all attention turns to the resumption of the Inter-County championships. Some teams have all but guaranteed passage to the knockout stages after the opening two rounds with others anxiously looking over their shoulders already. Here we have a look at the state of play in the championship.

Nearly there- Newcastle West, Adare & St Kierans

Three teams are still 100\% after the opening two rounds. It comes as no surprise that the final pairing of Adare and Newcastle West have continued their form this year picking up two wins from two. St Kierans join these sides on 4 points and have been full value for their victories over Ballysteen and St Patricks. Adare top group 1, where a win over Monaleen in the next round will secure passage to the knockout stages. NCW and St Kierans don’t meet until the final group game and will be confident of having secured a knockout berth by that fixture, barring disaster.

Limerick SFC Group 1 standings after Round 2.

Steady Progression- Monaleen, Fr Caseys, Drom Broadford & Ballysteen

Monaleen are the only undefeated team outside of the aforementioned sides with four points. An opening round draw against Na Piarsaigh was followed with a win over St Senans, as they sit comfertably in second position in Group 1. Just below them are Drom Broadofrd who have picked up a win and a loss thus far. They hold a one point cushion over the bottom three sides which they will look to extend with fixtures against two of the bottom three to come.

In Group 2 Ballysteen and Fr Caseys are deadlocked on two points each with Ballysteen holding a slender scoring advantage. Both sides have overcome Oola so far with Fr Caseys loss coming at the hands of Newcastle West, with Ballysteen losing out against St Kierans. These sides meet in the final round, which could be a straight battle for the final knockout spot.

Limerick SFC Group 2 Standings after Round 2.

Work to do- St Senans, Na Piarsaigh, Ballylanders, Oola & St Patricks

Group 1 sees these three teams deadlocked on a solitary point after two games. St Senans and Ballylanders played out a draw in the opener while Na Piarsaigh held Monaleen in round 1. There is much work to be done if any of these sides are to usurp those above them in the table with the fight not to finish bottom the primary aim now.

Oola and St Pats prop up the table in group 2, with neither able to register a point thus far in the competition. With three games left, there is still a chance that they could turn their season around but the final day clash is looking increasingly looking like it could be a play-off to see who enters the relegation final.