Wins for Adare and NCW in Limerick SFC

Champions Adare have become the first side to reach the semi finals of the Limerick SFC after defeating Na Piarsaigh on a scoreline of 2-13 to 1-4. They are guaranteed to top Group 1 with a game left to spare.

In Group 2, Newcastle maintained their 100\% record with a 5-17 to 4-3 victory over Oola. Meanwhile, Ballysteen and St Patrick’s played out an entertaining 1-11 to 0-14 draw in Croagh.

Na Piarsaigh started brightly against Adare and had the games first goal through an Eoin Hogan penalty. Shane O’Connor replied for Adare with a goal to leave the scores at 1-6 to 1-2 at the break. Adare flexed their muscles in the second to power into the last four with Hugh Bourke grabbing their second goal.

In the late throw in at Kilbreedy, Newcastle controlled the opening period with Mike McMahon and Eoin Hurley netting for the men from the west. Oola replied with three goals of their own before half time to reduce the deficit to 2-7 to 3-3.

The second half was all one way traffic however as Newcastle steamrolled to a 17 point victory with their second half goals coming from AJ O’Connor (2) and Cian Sheehan.

St Patrick’s dominated the early exchanges in Croagh taking a commanding 0-9 to 0-5 lead into the break against Ballysteen.

Ballysteen replied in the second half and with the aid of the breeze got the games first goal of the game through Jamie O’Sullivan to give them a slender lead. Eoin Hanrahan would level the game with the final kick of the game.

Adare will top group one and will be joined in the knockout stages by two of St Senans, Ballylanders or Monaleen.

In the same group, Monaleen, Drom Broadford or Na Piarsaigh will contest the relegation final depending on final day results. The final set of games in this group are;

Adare v St Senans.

Monaleen v Drom Broadford.

Na Piarsaigh v Ballylanders.

Group 2 is more straightforward heading into the final fixtures. St Kierans meet Newcastle West with the winner advancing straight through to the semi finals.

Ballysteen take on Fr Caseys with the winner guaranteed a quarter final berth while St Pats and Oola meet with the losers into the relegation play off. If that game finishes a draw then Oola will face the decider with Pats a point ahead of Oola in the standings.

The final round of games will take place on the weekend of the 15/16 September.