Football fever grips as Limerick's Castlemahon host star-studded Fossa in Munster Club JFC

A BATTLE between All-Ireland GAA champions from different sporting codes and counties will be one of the most unique events of the year in County Limerick this Saturday.

The lead-up to the Munster Junior Club Football Championship semi-final has begun in Castlemahon as they take on Kerry’s Fossa for a place in the Munster Junior final.

Limerick hurling hero and All-Ireland three-in-a-row squad member Séamus Flanagan will be giving up the hurl as he looks to help Castlemahon outsmart Kerry football heroes and All-Stars, David and Paudie Clifford, who will be in the colours of Fossa.

It’s a victory in itself that Castlemahon will play hosts to the semi-final match-up, according to club chairperson Noel Corbett.

“We did an unbelievably massive project about two years ago with a new astroturf and a walkway with lights.

“It’s a brilliant bonus to get this match on Saturday.

“I was actually praying, listening to Radio Kerry two weeks ago for Fossa to beat Listry as getting Fossa to play in Castlemahon is like playing Manchester United in the FA Cup,” Noel smiled.

Members of the community cannot wait to see man of the moment and Footballer of the Year David Clifford take to the field this Saturday according to Noel.

“Even my own small fella’, he’s nine and bought a Kerry jersey during the year. We went back to the homecoming in Kenmare to see David Clifford.

“David Clifford is the Tom Cruise of football at the moment!” Noel exclaimed.

Excitement is building in Castlemahon ahead of the semi-final as thousands are expected to descend on the Limerick side’s home ground for the glamour fixture.

“We’re doing a one-way road system for the match which the guards are sorting. We also got permission from the council to use a facility across the road for a car park,” Noel said.

“You’d imagine there’d be 4,000 people at it.

“We’re an active club but we’re normally a hurling club. If we get knocked out of the hurling early we put everything into the football and we usually progress quite well,” Noel added.

Castlemahon haven’t been in a Munster Junior Club Football Championship final since 2013, so a win on the day would mean everything to the club.

“We’ve been meeting all week and we finished the new viewing area for the match last Saturday morning. New fencing and footpaths have been put down in the last couple of weeks so it’s all go now,” Noel said.

Castlemahon will host Fossa for the big match this Saturday in Quaid Park, Coolyroe at 1pm.

Castlemahon’s battle against Fossa marks another huge fixture for Limerick clubs in recent weeks. Last Sunday, city club Na Piarsaigh lost out in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship semi-final to current champions Ballygunner from Waterford.

The winner of the contest was considered to be the favourite to win this year’s All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship.

Another big match-up taking place this Sunday, November 27 sees senior county football champions, Newcastle West take on the Clonmel Commercials in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, 1pm.

Also on Sunday, Limerick intermediate football champions Na Piarsaigh face Ballina, of Tipperary, in the Munster club intermediate football semi-final at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, 1pm