Top teams stay put but Caseys and Monaleen make moves | SFC Power Rankings #3

With the championship taking break for three weeks before the final round, we present our second power rankings.

There is just one round of games left in the Limerick Senior Football Championship with five teams assured of their place in the knockout stages.

In group one, Newcastle West will top the pile regardless of the final day results while Kildimo Pallaskenry and Fr Caseys meet to see who finishes second and third respectively.

Adare secured their semi-final berth in group two while Monaleen will finish as runners up. Behind them, Na Piarsaigh are best poised to join them but Ballysteen can still have a say.

At the other end, neither of the relegation play-off sides have been confirmed. With the championship taking break for three weeks before the final round, we present our second power rankings.

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12. Clauaghuan (=)

A fourth successive loss has Claughaun staring down the barrel of a relegation final. Still they were only pipped by a point and still have the chance to escape in their own hands as they play St Kierans in the final round. However, they will need an improved performance to beat the League champions.

11. Ballylanders (=)

Their defeat to Adare has them condemned to the relegation final. Despite four successive defeats, Ballylanders will rue missed opportunities with a number of close calls with only one loss by more than three points.

10. St Kierans (-3)

The biggest fallers of the round as St Kierans knockout hopes came to a close on Thursday evening. It has been a championship to forget for the League kingpins with a one-point win over Oola their only win to show. Results elsewhere mean Kierans are now embroiled in a relegation battle as a loss to Claughaun will see them into the relegation final.

9. Galtee Gaels (=)

Their loss to Na Piarsaigh also ends their knockout hopes with the Caherdavin man holding all the aces in terms of scoring differences and H2H if they were to catch them in round five. Will be conscious of Ballylanders having two games remaining where they could be caught by the side they beat in round one.

8. Oola (+2)

A jump for the East side who had to work for their one-point win over Claughaun but that will seal safety as they hold the H2H, scoring difference, points for and conceded over the City men. Dubhan O’Grady bagged the crucial goal but a place in the quarter finals is out of reach ahead of the final round game with Newcastle West where their season will come to an end.

7. Ballysteen (-1)

Their loss to Monaleen coupled with Na Piarsaigh’s win makes their chances of reaching the knockout stages all the more difficult. Were level with the City men at the break but a strong purple patch from the 2016 champions ensured their quarter-final spot. Will need to better Nap’s result in round five to grab that other quarter-final place.

6. Na Piarsaigh (+2)

A huge result for last year’s Intermediate champions has them within touching distance of the knockout stages for the first time since 2016. A purple patch where they hit 2-6 without reply paved the way for the win over Galtee Gaels following a pair of defeats. Know a win over Ballylanders will secure a quarter-final place.

5. Fr Caseys (=)

Booked their place in the last six with a five-point win over St Kierans making it three wins on the trot for the Abbeyfeale men. Without over half of their team from the run to last year’s county semi-final, Caseys seem to be motoring well and have it in their own hands to finish second as they meet KP in the final round.

4. Kildimo Pallaskenry (-1)

A five-point defeat to Newcastle West halts their winning start but shows how far the side have come since claiming the IFC title two years ago. Goals at crucial times were key to the defeat but will have the chance to regroup against Caseys with qualification to the knockout rounds for the second year running already secured.

3. Monaleen (+1)

Like Caseys, made it three wins on the trot following a defeat to one of last year’s finalists as a strong second half performance guided them to victory against Ballysteen. With the sides level at the half, the City men hit their groove after the resumption with Luke Murphy bagging their crucial goal. Almost guaranteed to finish second in the group but could top the pile if Adare are beaten in their last pair of games.

2. Adare (=)

Their win over Ballylanders on Tuesday evening guarantees their place in the final four for the seventh year running. Haven’t quite hit the heights of previous years but have time to work on that ahead of their semi-final.

Still the best placed to dethrone the #1 team.

1. Newcastle West (=)

Another win for the almost machine like Newcastle West who held off the challenge of Kildimo Pallaskenry to ensure top spot with a game to spare. Brian O’Sullivan was again amongst the scorers from wing back while Iain Corbett netted from the spot to kill off the contest. The team to beat.

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