THE Limerick Football Championships returned with a bang over the weekend after an almost year long wait.
In total there were games played across the weekend in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championships.
Below we look back at each of those results.
Senior Football Championship
On Satruday evening, defending champions Newcastle West got their campiagn off to the perfect start when they overcame West rivals Drom Broadford 2-12 to 1-3 in Mick Neville Park.
Eoin Hurley got Newcastle’s first goal, somewhat fortunately after a mix up in the Drom defence. An excellent Brian Aherne goal moments later brought Drom back into the tie.
However, Hurley’s second on 25 game NCW breathing room as they took a 2-5 to 1-2 lead into the break.
Drom would only score once more in the secnd half as Newcastle strolled to victory.
Else where on Saturday evening, Adare sent out an early warning as they beat Na Piarsaigh 3-14 to 1-4 in Clarina.
Mark Connolly got Adare’s opening goal before Kieran Barr got one of his own for Na Piarsaigh.
Shane Costelloe was on hand to notch Adare’s second as they held a 2-6 to 1-4 lead against 14-man Na Piarsaigh.
In the second they made the most of thier numerical advantage as Shane O’Connor’s goal helped them ease to a 16-point win while keeping the City side scoreless in the second period.
On Sunday, Groups 3 & 4 took centre stage with Galtee Gaels making their return to the senior ranks against Oola.
It would be last years SFC finalists that would come away with the win as they eventually own out 1-14 to 0-10.
Galtee Gaels were full value for an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead which was cut to one by the first waterbreak.
At the half, Oola had grabbed the advantage and lead 0-8 to 0-7.
Fiachra O’Grady’s goal after the restart would be the real turning point as Oola were able to keep their opponents at bay for the rest of the half, despite serious pressure from the Gaels.
Arguably the biggest shock of the weekend came in group 3 as Galbally defeated St Kierans 2-7 to 0-11 in Kilmallock.
After losing to the West side by 15-points in their final group game last year, early goals from Ciaran Sheehan and Mike Donovan had Galbally 2-4 to 0-2 ahead at the short whistle.
St Kierans did offer some resistance in the second half but never got within a point of Galbally who match their win total from 2019 already.
Round 1 Results
G1: Newcastle West 2-12 : 1-3 Drom Broadford
G2: Adare 3-14 : 1-4 Na Piarsaigh
G3: Galbally 2-7 : 0-11 St Kierans
G4: Oola 1-14 : 0-10 Galtee Gaels
Round 2 Fixtures
G1: Ballysteen v Drom Broadford
G2: Fr Caseys v Na Piarsaigh
G3: St Kierans v Monaleen
G4: Ballylanders v Galtee Gaels
Intermediate Football Championship
Unfortunately, two of the four games down for decision in the Intermediate Football Championship were called off due to confirmed Covid 19 cases in clubs involved.
As such there were no games played on Saturday evening with a pair taking place on Sunday.
2017 Intermediate champions laid down a statement of intent in their first game back in the grade as they beat West rivals Glin 2-17 to 0-10.
They began the brighter and an Ian Ryan goal had them 1-5 to 0-1 ahead after twenty which was 1-6 to 0-4 at the break.
Glin rallied early in the second but could not find a crucial goal. Eventually Senans pulled away with James Naughton’s goal sealing the 13-point win.
Glin now move on to play Bruff next weekend needing a result to avoid the relegation scene.
Also on Sunday evening, Mungret St Pauls put one foot in the knockout stages as their goals helped overcome Monaleen 4-9 to 0-5.
Goals from Brendan Giltenane and Mike Fitzgibbon within the opening five minutes saw Mungret take command early on.
They lead by six at the break which was quickly added to with John Hutton goaling immediately after the restart.
Giltenane would grab a second late on to polish the victory.
Monaleen play Kildimo Pallaskenry next weekend with Mungret getting a bye.
Round 1 Results
G3: St Senans 2-17 : 0-10 Glin
G4: Mungret St Pauls 4-9 : 0-5 Monaleen
Round 2 Fixtures
G1: Rathkeale v Mountcollins
*G2: Gerald Griffins/ St Patricks v Pallasgreen
G3: Bruff v Glin
G4: Kildimo Pallaskenry v Monaleen
Junior A Football Championship
In the Junior Football Championship, there were six games played over the weekend with South Liberties meeting Castlemahon this Tuesday. Ahane’s clash with Crecora was postponed.
Newcastle West, Athea and Kilteely Dromkeen didn’t wait long to signal their intent as they each racked up huge victories in the first round.
Elsewhere there were wins for Ballybrown and Monagea while there was nothing to separate Croom and Fr Caseys.
There is a full round of fixtures fixed for next weekend.
Round 1 Results
G1: Fr Caseys 1-9 : 0-12 Croom
G2: Ballybrown 1-7 : 0-8 Cappagh
G2: Monagea 2-14 : 1-9 Cappamore
G3: Kilteely Dromkeen 6-15 : 0-4 Drom Broadford
G4: Athea 3-19 : 1-2 Bruree
G4: Newcastle West 2-20 : 1-2 Hospital Herbertstown
Round 2 Fixtures
G1: Fr Caseys v Castlemahon
G1: South Liberties v Ccroom
G2: Cappamore v Balllybrown
G2: Monagea v Cappagh
G3: Kilteely Dromkeen v Crecora
G3: Drom Broadford v Ahane
G4: Hospital Herbertstown v Bruree
G4: Athea v Newcastle West
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