Tough draw for Monaleen in Limerick SFC

LIMERICK senior football champions Monaleen have been drawn in the same group as last year’s beaten finalists Newcastle West.

As they set out in search of a hat-trick of Limerick SFC titles, the Limerick city side find themselves in a most difficult group. They will open the defence of their crown with a clash against Ballysteen.

Games against recent champions Ballylanders and Dromcollogh-Broadford will then follow with the group campaign to end with a repeat of last season’s final against Newcastle West.

Intermediate champions Mountcollins are to face a mouth-watering tie against neighbours Fr Caseys after they were both drawn in Group 2.

Also in this group are other recent intermediate champions St Patricks and Galbally and western duo Adare and St Kierans.

The draws for the Irish Wire Products sponsored championship were made at the first Football Committee meeting of the year this Wednesday night in the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. The opening round of the SFC is scheduled for May 11-13.

The draws for the intermediate championship were also made at the meeting.

Two of the favourities Oola and Hospital-Herbertstown are drawn together in Group 1. City sides Na Piarsiagh and Mungret and south neighbours Croom and Bruff complete the group.

Newly promoted St Marys Sean Finns of Rathkeale and relegated Pallasgreen are two of the standout teams in Group 2. Claughaun, Bruree, Gerald Griffins and Athea make up the remainder of the group.

SFC Group 1 St Senans

Ballysteen

Monaleen

Ballylanders

Dromcollogher-Broadford

Newcastle West

SFC Group 2

St Kierans

Galbally

Fr Caseys

St Patricks

Adare

Mountcollins

IFC Group 1

Na Piarsaigh

Crom

Bruff

Mungret

Hospital-Herbertstown

Oola

IFC Group 2

Athea

Pallasgreen

Claughaun

St Marys-Sean Finns

Gerald Griffins

Bruree