Limerick Junior Soccer Preview

There is a packed schedule in Limerick Junior soccer this weekend as the clubs attempt to catch up after weeks of postponments due to poor weather conditions. The Lawson Cup commands the most focus as the first round gets underway two weeks later than usual. There are also four games in the PJ Matthews Premier League as the premier division clubs do not enter the competition until the next round. The Munster Junior Cup takes centre stage as seven Limerick clubs are hoping to progress.

Tommorrow night’s scheduled Touhy Cup fixture between Nenagh and Charleville due to take place at Jackman Park has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and will be re-scheduled at a later date. All games in the Lawson Cup take place at 11am. The fixtures include St. Patrick’s vs Shelbourne, Hyde Rangers vs Geraldines and Corbally United vs Coonagh United.

All games in the Munster Junior Cup kick-off at 2pm. The pick of the ties is the all Limerick clash between Carew Park and Pike Rovers in Carew Park. 1A side Murroe will take on Coonagh United’s FAI conquerors Grattan United. Arguably, Cappamore have the toughest draw with a trip to Newmarket Celtic who reached the latter stages of the competition on the last two occasions. However, Cappamore are promotion hopefuls in 1A and will be hoping to hold their own. Fairview Rangers take on Carrick United B at the Fairgreen and although Jason Purcell’s side had a poor start to the campaign, Fairview are a club which can never be ruled out of the running in a cup competition due to their illustrious history which includes season’s where league form hasn’t been excellent. League leaders Janesboro travel to Killarney to take on CG Killarney and the southside club will be hoping for a long run in the competition to make up for an earlier than expected exit in the FAI Junior Cup. Completing the Limerick representation are the lowest ranked Limerick side Hill Celtic who ply their trade in division 1B. They travel to Cork to face St. John Bosco.

In league action, Charleville host Aisling Annacotty on the astroturf facility on Saturday evening at 7pm. Annacotty enjoyed a superb 3-2 win over Ballynanty at the weekend and currently sit in fifth place in the league. However, Mike McCarthy’s side have played fourteen matches which is much more than the rest of the teams in the league. In some cases, Annacotty have played up to five games more than the likes of Pike Rovers. The hosts are in desperate need of a win to put pressure on Moyross and Kilmallock ahead of them. Charleville currently occupy one of the relegation places.

On Sunday morning, there are three games down for decision at 11am with Moyross playing Regional, Ballynanty Rovers facing Nenagh and Kilmallock entertain local rivals Holycross. Moyross will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone with a win over their Dooradoyle based opponents. Regional need to bounce back quickly after their narrow defeat to Pike Rovers in the FAI Cup if they are to continue a surprising push for league honours. They currently trail leaders Janesboro by six points but with Shane O’Hanlon’s team in action in the Munster Junior Cup, Ray Lynch’s Regional can apply some pressure at the top of the table and move into second place, temporarily at least.

Kilmallock can ease any lingering relegation worries with a victory over Holycross at home. On paper, it would make Kilmallock clear favourites as their visitors are yet to pick up a point all season. However, there is local pride at stake and with such a long lay-off, it would be a perfect time for Holycross to earn a positive result to keep survival hopes alive. Ballynanty Rovers suffered a crushing injury-time defeat to Annacotty at the weekend to significantly decrease their chances of winning the league this season. The Northsiders have played two games more than Janesboro and trail them by six points.