Munster Junior Cup is the Main Focus for Limerick Sides

Another busy weekend is upon us with five Limerick clubs ready to take part in the last 32 of the Munster Junior Cup. There are also two games due to take place in the bottom six section of the Premier Division.

On Sunday afternoon, the all-Limerick clash between Pike Rovers and Regional will be the interest of the local soccer population and the sides meet for the third time in four weeks following league and cup meetings. The game takes place at Dooradoyle with a 2pm kick-off. Both sides will be full of confidence following victories in the FAI Junior Cup last weekend.

Regional showed great character to overcome Athenry in their own backyard on penalties. They fell behind but with ten minutes remaining, Dave Lyons was fouled and Kieran O’Connell scored to equalise before the Dooradoyle outfit won on penalties. Pike had a more straightforward 0-3 victory over Athy FC to safely progress.

Wayne Colbert’s Prospect Priory side will travel to Cork to take on Coachford. Prospect suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kilmallock in the Lawson Cup last weekend and will be looking to kick start 2022 with a big win on Leeside. They have struggled to find form since Christmas as they also struggled to beat lower league outfit Newtown Rovers in the same competition two weeks previously.

Aisling Annacotty will be looking to put a turbulent couple of weeks behind them when they make the tough trip to Waterford to take on Carrick United (2pm). Since the departure of former manager Shane O’Hanlon, Aisling drew 1-1 with Regional but were hammered 4-0 by close rivals Ballynanty Rovers in the Tuohy Cup semi-final last week. Caretaker manager John Lysaght won’t have to remind his squad of the importance of the game as they are still reigning Munster Junior Cup champions since 2020 when they beat Fairview in the decider at Jackman Park.

Premier A side Carew Park are the surprise package in the competition so far and knocked out Mungret Regional to reach this stage. They travel to West Cork to take on Drinagh Rangers on Sunday with the later kick off time of 2.30. Manager Albert Slattery can call on players with plenty of experience including Gary Griffin, Adam Frahill and Johnathan Grant who were part of successful Carew sides in the past. The two Premier Division games due to take place have been postponed.