Busy period for Limerick junior soccer sides

Between the FAI Junior Cup, Jack Touhy Cup and PJ Matthews Premier League, there is plenty of soccer action in the city this weekend. There are some crucial games for teams at the top and bottom of the premier league.

Firstly, the quarter final of the Jack Tuohy Cup between Pike Rovers and Regional will take place tonight at Jackman Park (7pm). Both clubs are the form sides in Limerick with both still in the major national competitions while Pike are second in the league with two games in hand on Janesboro, Due to recent slip ups from Ballynanty, Regional have become joint third and enter the cup game following an emphatic 6-1 win over Killarney Celtic in the FAI Junior Cup. With just nine points separating themselves and Janesboro, the Dooradoyle outfit have become outside challengers for the league as they have two games in hand. Regional’s stock is certainly rising but Pike did manage to beat them 0-1 in Dooradoyle in September, a feat not managed by many in recent years. 

On Saturday, Geraldines will look to bounce back from their heart breaking penalty shoot out defeat to Glengad in the FAI Junior Cup and heap more misery on struggling Charleville in the process (7pm). Charleville can climb out of the relegation zone with a win if Kilmallock fail to beat Nenagh at home in another crucial relegation battle. The game between Kilmallock and Nenagh will take place on Sunday morning (11am). 

Fellow relegation battlers Prospect picked up a vital win over rivals Kilmallock last weekend to give slight breathing space between themselves and the bottom four. Experienced duo Danny Colbert and Cyril Maher scored the all important goals. However, Derek Braddish men will find it difficult against an in form Regional team. The sides played out a close encounter in Dooradoyle earlier this season where Regional emerged victorious on a narrow 2-1 scoreline. Out of the bottom half teams, Prospect have the meanest defence and they will need to perform well to get a result. Regional will need the victory to stay in touch with the league leaders and it should make for an entertaining but nervy encounter. 

Janesboro face Aisling Annacotty at Pearse Stadium on Sunday morning (11am). Due to elimination in the Munster Junior Cup and FAI Junior Cup, retaining the league crown will now be the sole focus for Aidan Ryan and Shane O’Hanlon. Currently, the soutside club are five points clear of Pike but their rivals have two games in hand. In contrast, Annacotty advanced to the last 32 of the FAI Junior Cup last week with a big win over Blarney. Annacotty also ran Janesboro extremely close in the Munster Junior Cup just a matter of weeks ago in a 3-2 defeat. 

Two clubs who are no strangers to success meet at the Fairgreen on Sunday when Fairview Rangers host Pike Rovers (11am). Unfortunately for Fairview, recent successes have been harder to come by. The recent performance in the 2-2 draw with title chasing Ballynanty will give Jason Purcell’s side a lot of confidence and belief that they can upset their bitter rivals. Ross Mann is a big danger for the home side with his pace and movement. 

Ballynanty Rovers make the long trip to Dundalk on Sunday to take on Muirhevna Mor in the FAI Junior Cup fifth round (2pm). It will be a tough test for Donal Magee’s side with the likes of former Dundalk striker Tiernan Mulvenna among the Muirhevna ranks.They will be looking to join five other Limerick sides including Desmond League side Glin Rovers in the last 32 of the competition.