“We’re not going to fear anyone” | NCW manager Jimmy Lee confident as they move into Munster semi-final

Newcastle West will now face Austin Stacks in the Munster Club SFC semi-final.

After defeats at the same stage in 2015 and 2019, Newcastle West eventually got over the line in the Munster quarter-final as they beat the Nire by two points at home on Saturday afternoon.

In very difficult conditions, Newcastle were worthy winners over the Waterford champions, holding them scoreless in the final quarter to seal a famous win.

Reflecting on the importance of the victory, manager Jimmy Lee said it was ‘extremely important’ for the club and players alike.

“Occasions like this, in your own home, winning the first round of the Munster championship is extremely important. It’s extremely important to those lads as ye saw after the game and it’s important to the club.

“The lads know what it’s like to lose in the first round and they have always lost to the winners of the competition. It’s good for Limerick football and the championship, there’s serious clubs there. Every team is stepping up. That’s all positive. You can only beat what’s in front of you and if there’s good teams, that will raise the standard.”

Attention will now quickly shift to the weekend of December 18/19 as Newcastle West take on newly crowned Kerry champions Austin Stacks who beat Kerins O’Rahilly’s on Sunday afternoon.

Stacks were Munster champions in 2014 but Lee insists that his side will be full of confidence heading into the semi-final with the venue and day yet to be confirmed.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board, make out a plan and see where we are at. We’re not going to fear anyone at this stage. Even if we have to go to their back garden. We will go there with a plan and belief in ourselves that we can win this.”

Watch the interview in full with Lee here.