The Limerick Intermediate Football Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Griffin Coaches County Intermediate Football Championship and abbreviated to the Limerick IFC) is an annual Gaelic football competition organised by the Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by intermediate clubs in the county of Limerick in Ireland. It is the second tier overall in the entire Limerick football championship system.
| Limerick Intermediate Football Championship | |
|---|---|
Current season or competition: 2024 Limerick Intermediate Football Championship | |
| Code | Gaelic football |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Region |  Limerick (GAA) |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Title holders |  Mungret/St Paul's (3rd title) |
| First winner |  Pallasgreen |
| Sponsors | Griffin Coaches |
| Official website | Official website |
In its present format, the 12 participating teams are divided into two groups of six teams and play each other once in a round-robin system. The top three teams in each group proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final. The winner of the Limerick Intermediate Championship qualifies for the subsequent Munster Club Championship.
Mungret/St Paul's are the reigning champions, having beaten Dromcollogher/Broadford by 1–08 to 1–03 in the 2023 final.[1]
History
editThe Limerick Intermediate Football Championship dates back to 1911, with Pallasgreen becoming the first winners of that once-off competition.[2] The championship was revived after 64 years in 1975 and Na Piarsaigh were the winners.[3] After three years the championship saw another hiatus, this time until 1988, when Adare were the winners.
Format
editGroup stage
editThe 12 teams are divided into two groups of six. Over the course of the group stage, each team plays once against the others in the group.[4] Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record. the top three teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage, with the two group winners receiving byes to the semi-finals.
Knockout stage
editQuarter-finals: The second and third placed teams from the group stage contest this round. The two winning teams advance to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals: The two quarter-final winners and the two top-ranked team from the group stage contest this round. The two winners from these games advance to the final.
Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.
Promotion and relegation
editAt the end of the championship, the winning team is automatically promoted to the Limerick Senior Championship for the following season. The two bottom-ranked teams from the group stage participate in a playoff, with the losing team being relegated to the Limerick Premier Junior A Championship.[5]
Sponsorship
editGriffin Coaches from Ardpatrick are the current sponsor of the championship.[6]
Qualification for subsequent competitions
editThe Limerick Intermediate Championship winners qualify for the subsequent Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship. The Limerick winners have reached the final on six occasions but have never won the provincial title.[7]
Roll of honour
edit| # | Club | Titles | Years won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mungret/St Paul's | 3 | 1997, 2004, 2023 |
| Na Piarsaigh | 3 | 1997, 2004, 2022 | |
| Galbally | 3 | 1990, 2010, 2018 | |
| Adare | 3 | 1998, 2001, 2016 | |
| Pallasgreen | 3 | 1911, 2005, 2012 | |
| 6 | Galtee Gaels | 2 | 1993, 2019 |
| St Senan's | 2 | 2003, 2017 | |
| Athea | 2 | 2002, 2007 | |
| Bruree | 2 | 1994, 1996 | |
| 10 | Kildimo-Pallaskenry | 1 | 2021 |
| Claughaun | 1 | 2020 | |
| oola | 1 | 2015 | |
| Rathkeale | 1 | 2013 | |
| Mountcollins | 1 | 2011 | |
| St Patrick's | 1 | 2009 | |
| Ballysteen | 1 | 2008 | |
| Newcastle West | 1 | 2006 | |
| Gerald Griffins | 1 | 2000 | |
| Dromcollogher/Broadford | 1 | 1999 | |
| Ballylanders | 1 | 1998 | |
| Glin | 1 | 1995 | |
| Askeaton | 1 | 1992 | |
| Fr Caseys | 1 | 1991 | |
| Hospital-Herbertstown | 1 | 1989 | |
| Na Fianna | 1 | 1977 | |
| Monaleen | 1 | 1976 |
List of finals
edit| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Venue | # | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Score | Club | Score | |||
| 2024 | ||||||
| 2023 | Mungret/St Paul's | 1-08 | Dromcollogher/Broadford | 1-03 | Páirc na nGael | |
| 2022 | Na Piarsaigh | 2-08 | Dromcollogher/Broadford | 2-06 | Páirc na nGael | [8] |
| 2021 | Kildimo-Pallaskenry | 2-10 | Rathkeale | 0-14 | Mick Neville Park | [9] |
| 2020 | Claughaun | 0-10 | Gerald Griffins | 0-07 | Newcastle West Grounds | [10] |
| 2019 | Galtee Gaels | 1-11 | Gerald Griffins | 0-12 | LIT Gaelic Grounds | [11] |
| 2018 | Galbally | 1-06 | Rathkeale | 0-08 | Gaelic Grounds | [12] |
| 2017 | St Senan's | 4-09 | Galbally | 2-08 | Mick Neville Park | [13] |
Notes:
- 2019 - The first match ended in a draw: Gaeltee Gaels 1-08, Gerald Griffins 1-08.[14]
References
edit- ^ Clancy, Tom (4 November 2023). "Mungret's march continues with Limerick Intermediate football success". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Newman, Edward (17 December 2005). "Young Pallasgreen footballers look for their place in the sun". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "History of Na Piarsaigh". Na Piarsaigh GAA website. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "2024 Limerick GAA Club Championship draws are held without presence of clubs". Limerick Live. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Limerick GAA Friday Club Championship Results". Limerick GAA website. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, Jerome (2 October 2020). "Claughaun and Gerald Griffins in IFC final seeking promotion into Limerick senior ranks". Limerick Live. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ Sheehan, Diarmuid (10 December 2023). "Cill na Martra strike early to see off Mungret St Pauls for Munster club IFC title". The Corkman. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Redington, John (29 October 2022). "Na Piarsaigh secure senior return with Limerick intermediate football final win". Limerick Live. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Neville, Jack (30 October 2021). "Kildimo Pallaskenry claim first ever Limerick Intermediate Football Championship with win over Rathkeale". Limerick Post. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, Jerome (4 October 2020). "Claughaun end a decade outside Limerick senior football ranks with intermediate title win". Limerick Live. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Keogh, John (27 October 2019). "Limerick IFC final replay: Galtee Gaels see off Gerald Griffins to secure senior football in 2020". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "Galbally return to Senior Football ranks". Live95fm. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, Jerome (7 October 2017). "#WATCH: Celebration time for St Senans in Limerick IFC final". Limerick Live. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Neville, Jack (14 October 2019). "WATCH: Reaction from both managers as IFC Final ends in thrilling draw". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 October 2024.