Three teams poised to book knockout berths with a round to spare | Limerick SFC Power Rankings

Like Adare, a knockout place in the SFC is almost a guarantee for Newcastle West and they have cruised to three successive wins so far.

Round three certainly cleared up a lot in the Limerick senior football championship with a number of teams making a step in the right direction with two games to be played.

Others fell closer to a relegation battle with little rest time as the penultimate round throws in this week, starting on Wednesday in a repeat of the 2018 final between Adare and Ballylanders.

Ahead of that fourth round, we lay out our Limerick SFC power rankings.

12. Claughaun

The City men have been on the receiving end of three comprehensive defeats and look to be headed for the drop if they cannot arrest the form they are on. Have a golden chance to do so when meeting Oola on Saturday but will need an upturn in performance levels if they are to do so.

11. Ballylanders

Ballylanders are without a point but they will feel aggrieved to not have picked up something thus far with a number of near misses. They were well beaten last time out but led by six at the break against Ballysteen. They were leading Galtee Gaels in injury time in round one while there was just two points between them and Monaleen in the second game. Still they need to beat Na Piarsaigh to have any chance of avoiding the relegation play off.

10. Oola

It has been a year to forget so far for Oola who are also pointless. However, they do have a superior scoring difference to bottom placed Clauaghun and they meet this Saturday in a game that will determine who is in the relegation final should there be a winner.

9. Galtee Gaels

It has been an up and down campaign for the Gaels who are still in a decent position at securing a knockout berth. A win this weekend against Na Piarsaigh will be crucial as defeat will finish their quarter final hopes. Will be hopeful of Ballysteen beating Monaleen which will give them the chance to pip the City men in the final round.

8. Na Piarsaigh

After a flying start, Na Piarsaigh have been on the end of two comprehensive victories but they did come against the groups strongest teams on paper. They may be behind Galtee Gaels in the table but their head to head against Ballysteen may prove crucial if they get over the line this weekend.

7. St Kierans

Things have not gone to plan for the League champions who are having to deal without two of their most instrumental players John Hayes and Darragh Treaty. It is last chance saloon this week as defeat to Fr Caseys will end their season with a game to spare.

6. Ballysteen

Back to back wins for the West side have propelled them up the group two table where they are now the front-runners to join Monaleen and Adare in the knockout stages. Will need to pick up more points to ensure that but will have momentum on their side after hitting six goals against Ballylanders last time out.

5. Fr Caseys

Their round four clash with St Kierans will be make or break for the Abbeyfeale men who have had to deal with a raft of changes to the squad that reached the semi-final last year. A win and they’re into the knockout stages. A loss could be detrimental to their chances, although they do have KP in the final round who they could pip if they were to lose this Thursday.

4. Monaleen

Haven’t been at their best but showed huge composure to see off a hungry Na Piarsaigh man with 14 players for the majority of their round three contest. In Brian Donovan, they have one of the championships standout players and it’s hard to see past them not making the final six.

3. Kildimo Pallaskenry

Perhaps the surprise packet of this year’s championship so far, Kildimo Pallaskenry can seal a last four berth with a win over Newcastle on Thursday. Still they are very likely to reach the final six after their latest win over St Kierans irregardless. No second year syndrome for the dual senior side.

2. Adare

Every year Adare seem to cruise into the knockout stages and 2023 seems no different for the West men. A point in round four will be enough to secure a quarter-final berth at the least while a win over Ballysteen in the final game will guarantee a semi-final regardless of what happens this weekend.

1. Newcastle West

Like Adare, a knockout place in the SFC is almost a guarantee for Newcastle West and they have cruised to three successive wins so far. They haven’t had to get out of third gear and while their toughest test to date lays ahead this week, the Magpies look best poised to retain their title.

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