Busy weekend ahead for Limerick junior soccer clubs with fixtures in various competitions taking place

The Limerick junior soccer schedule kicks off on Wednesday night at Jackman Park with the second Tuohy Cup semi-final to be decided between Carew Park and Aisling Annacotty (kick-off 7pm). Aisling Annacotty are the holders of the competition and it was the first major senior trophy that the club won in 40 years.

It would be a great achievement to retain the cup as it has been a mixed season in the league and other cup competitions for the side. Carew Park are no strangers to the latter stages of local competitions and will be favourites to meet Charleville in the final.

On Sunday morning, the PJ Matthews Premier League action returns with five fixtures taking place at 11 am. Three days after meeting in the Tuohy Cup, Carew Park play host to Aisling Annacotty in a vital game for Albert Slattery’s side after the Janesboro debacle a week ago. Carew are now nine points adrift of the leaders so nothing other than a victory will suffice.

Fairview Rangers play Kilmallock at the Fairgreen with both sides desperate for a win to lift the spirits following relatively disappointing seasons so far. Although neither side appear to be in danger of relegation, Charleville and Moyross are just five points behind Kilmallock and eight behind Jason Purcell’s Fairview. On the other hand, a win for the home side could take them into contention for a top four finish. A top-half finish would count as a good season following the turmoil at the start of the campaign.

Ballynanty Rovers entertain Nenagh at Shelbourne Park in a bid to consolidate their position in the top three. All teams in the top four have two games in hand on Ballynanty so Tom Daly’s side need to win to keep distance between themselves and their rivals. Moyross have fallen into the bottom two since they last played in the league as Charleville drew level on points with their relegation rivals.

It looks to be a three-way battle between Moyross, Charleville and Kilmallock to avoid the drop. Moyross will play high-flying Regional this Sunday at home. On league position, Ray Lynch’s Regional should emerge with all three points but the northside can be a tough place to go to, particularly when the club have so much to fight for.

Pike Rovers make the trip to Holycross in buoyant mood following successive victories in both the FAI Junior Cup and the Munster Junior Cup. Due to their commitments in other competitions, Mick Shiels’ side have only played nine games in the league which is at least three less than all their competitors.

Even though Janesboro look unstoppable in the league with an unbeaten eleven wins and one draw to date, it would not be beyond Pike to push their southside rivals all the way like previous years. However, focus will certainly shift to the aforementioned competitions and the league may not be a priority. Hoylcross have lost every game in the league this season and it is hard to see anything other than a Pike Rovers win.

There is one game in the Munster Logistics Lawson Cup on Sunday morning as Mungret Regional welcome Granville Rangers for the all 1A second round clash. Kick-off is 11 am. The Open Cup semi-final takes place at 2pm on Sunday as Mungret Regional C entertain Weston Villa who advanced at the expense of Hyde Rangers B last weekend.

In the FAI Youth Cup, Aisling travel to Kilkenny to take on Freebooters FC. The game takes place at 2 pm on Sunday. Fellow Limerick District League side Kilfrush are also on their travels as they face Carrigtwohill Utd of Cork at 2 pm.