Limerick SFC final/Drom Braodford 0-9 Newcastle West 0-9: Firm favourites Drom-Broadford were fortunate to keep one hand on their Limerick senior football championship crown at Gaelic Grounds yesterday against a Newcastle West side making their first county final appearance since 1992.

It might have taken a late point from Seán Cronin to salvage a second chance for Newcastle West, but it was a game they should have won. Luck deserted them in the third minute when Pat Fitzgerald, who was standing all alone, palmed the ball to the net but referee Joe Kearney spotted an infringement and disallowed the goal.

Drom-Broadford, seeking their third title in four years, were out of sorts with county men Jason Stokes and Michael Reidy kept well in check.

Newcastle West's only county player Stephen Kelly was another to hit an off-day and failed to get on the scoresheet.

Newcastle West took inspiration from midfielders Conor Fitzgerald and John Lydon. They kept pace with their opponents in the first half, going in just one point in arrears, 0-5 to 0-4.

Garrett Noonan opened a two-point gap for Drom-Broadford for the first time, but Newcastle West bounced back with three on the trot, from Fitzgerald, Shane Lyons and Cronin to edge in front.

Garrett Noonan, with two pointed frees, restored advantage for Drom. Cronin came to the rescue, however, when on target from a placed ball close to the finish.

The replay is fixed for next Saturday week.

DROM-BROADFORD: E Scollard; M Clancy, T Stack, M Boyce; N Conway, T McLoughlin, D O'Connor; D O'Leary, J Stokes (0-1); P Donnelly (0-1), S Buckley, G Noonan (0-6, five frees), C Curtin, M Reidy (0-1), R Lynch. Sub: B Noonan for Curtin

NEWCASTLE WEST: J Lee; T Kelly, S Barrett, K Lenihan; D O'Connell, P Fitzgerald, A O'Connor; J Lydon, C Fitzgerald (0-2); Shane Kelly, Stephen Kelly, S Lyons (0-1); D Brouder (0-2), P Fitzgerald, S Cronin (0-4, two frees). Sub: C Whelan for Lyons

Referee: J Kearney (Mungret).