AND just like that, the top three tiers in the Limerick Football landscape are now finished after three county finals took place on Sunday.
All that is left to finish in the Limerick GAA calendar are both Junior B Championships and the Junior A Hurling.
Below we look back on the three football finals that took place over the weeekend as well as some relegation battles.
Limerick Senior Football Championship
For the third time in four years, Adare are the kingpins in Limerick football as they put Ballylanders to the sword in the final in the LIT Gaelic Grounds, winning out 4-7 to 0-4.
Hugh Bourke’s goal was the opening score of the game as they lead 1-1 to 0-1 at the first water break.
Shane O’Connor’s goal just on the stroke of half time gave them a commanding 2-3 to 0-1 advantage at the half.
The sides split six scores after the resumption before Hugh Bourke put the game to bed with his second late on.
Moments later Roy Gleeson got on the scoresheet with Adare’s fourth as they cruised to a third ever championship win.
And just as Adare are asserting themselves as one of the great football sides we have seen, the previous stalwarts of the SFC, Drom Broadford saw their time in the top tier come to an end after a hugely successful 21 years as they fell to Galtee Gaels in the relegation final on Saturday.
A pair of Alan Condon goals in either half would prove crucial for the Gaels as they staved off relegation at the first attempt with a 2-10 to 0-14 win.
They will be hopeful of a full round of fixtures in 2021 after a truncated debut season in the senior ranks.
As for Drom, they drop to the Intermediate grade after winning seven county titles, a Munster championship and reaching 18 successive semi-finals during their time in the top tier since 1999.
Results
Adare 4-7 : 0-4 Ballylanders
Galtee Gaels 2-10 : 0-14 Drom Broadford
Limerick Intermediate Football Championship
Claughaun’s absence from the Ssenior Football Championship will end next year as they were crowned Intermediate Football champions with a 0-10 to 0-7 win over Gerald Griffins on Sunday.
Claughaun were full value for their win as the West side lost a second consecutive IFC Final.
Gerald Griffins were 0-2 to 0-1 to the good early on but five successive scores prior to the first water break had Clauaghaun in control after the first quarter.
They would not score again in the half but limited Griffins to just one score as they lead 0-6 to 0-3 at half time.
Gerald Griffins got the first point after the break but once again a flurry of scores from the City side pushed them 0-9 to 0-4 ahead heading into the final ten minutes.
Griffins would grab two on the bounce to bring it to within a goal but Clauaghaun again extended their advantage out to 0-10 to 0-6 in injury time.
Griffins would grab the final score of the day but it would belong to Claughaun who return to the senior ranks for the first time since 2010.
The Boys of Claughaun
pic.twitter.com/WR2e7iNdH9
— Claughaun GAA (@ClaughaunCLG) October 4, 2020
Result
Claughaun 0-10 : 0-7 Gerald Griffins
Limerick Junior A Football Championship
Crecora Manister were crowned Junior Champions for the first time on Sunday as they beat Monagea in the decider in Kilmallock.
They won out 1-11 to 0-11 in a hard fought encounter with their quick start the key to victory.
Captain Mike McCormack had the perfect start for Crecora as his goal opened proceedings.
They would further this advantage and raced into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead early on with Monagea grabbing the last score before the water break.
Monagea shaded the second quarter but Crecora held a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at the break.
Three of the first four scores of the half had Monagea within a point at the final water break.
The men from the West would level shortly after the restart and found the lead for the first time in the 55th minute.
Crecora would respond instantly with a free to level things up once more. Karl Moloney would push Crecora ahead once again with a brilliant solo score and Richie Murphy made it a two point game approaching injury time.
Monagea almost mustered a goal in injury time but Shane Normyle’s effort was tipped over the bar.
The sides then exchanged scores but two on the bounce from Crecora down the stretch would seal the win and promotion.
Result
Crecora Manister 1-11 : 0-11 Monagea
Limerick Junior A Hurling Championship
The final pairing in the Junior A Relegation scene was finalized on Sunday afternoon as Staker Wallace ensured safety with 0-11 to 0-8 win over Rathkeale.
Rathkeale will now play Old Christians in the decider to see who will retain Junior A status and who will fall to the Junior B ranks.
Result
Staker Wallace 0-11 : 0-8 Rathkeale
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