Champions Newcastle West off to a winning start in Limerick Senior Football Championship

CHAMPIONS Newcastle West opened their Irish Wire Limerick Senior Football Championship title defence with an impressive victory over Fr Caseys.

In Tournafulla this Friday evening, the three in-a-row champions were 1-12 to 1-9 winners over their rivals from Abbeyfeale. 

Just two weeks ago Fr Caseys had beaten Newcastle West 0-10 to 0-8 in the final of the Bon Secours Hospital Limerick Senior Football League.

However, bolstered by the return of their inter-county contingent, Newcastle West laid down a marker with this round one victory.

The opening quarter was tight and the sides were level at 0-3 each on 15-minutes.

A Diarmaid Kelly point then had the magpies ahead and when Iain Corbett added another, they were 0-7 to 0-3 clear and 23-minutes had lapsed.

The sides went to the half time dressing room with Newcastle West 0-8 to 0-5 ahead – Darren O’Doherty with their final score of the half.

On the change of ends, Eoin Hurley and Aaron Neville added points for the men in black and white before a Fr Caseys goal tied up the contest 0-10 to 1-7 and the game entering the final quarter.

Inside the final 10-minutes came the all-important Newcastle West goal – Mike McMahon finding the net after the opportunity was created by Colm Foley. 

There is little rest for either side with round two action next Friday – Newcastle West against Kildimo-Pallaskenry at The Bog Garden and Fr Caseys playing Oola in Clarina.