Busy week ahead in the PJ Matthews Premier League

As the midweek games are nearing completion and we head into the winter months, there are two rounds of fixtures in the PJ Matthews Premier League. There are six games taking place on Thursday evening with all beginning at 6.30 pm. On Sunday, there is a full fixture list with all games kicking off at 10.30.

Ballynanty Rovers lead the way with a perfect six wins from six. Following on from a 2-1 home win against Aisling Annacotty, the northside club defeated newly promoted Geraldines 2-4 at the Garryowen Green on Sunday. A superb free-kick by Dermot Fitzgerald and goals from Derek Daly, Arron Nunan and Jason Hughes gave Donal McGhee another important victory. Balla’ will face struggling Carew Park in LIT on Thursday before making the long trip to play Charleville on Sunday morning. With both teams possessing just one point between them, Ballynanty will be quietly confident that they can continue their winning ways.

In the big clash at Pearse Stadium, Janesboro surrendered a 2-0 lead to bitter rivals Pike Rovers as the game ended in a 2-2 draw. With both sides boasting the strongest squads in the division on paper, the fixture always captures the imagination among local soccer enthusiasts in the city. Janesboro raced into a 2-0 lead as Keith Mawdsley and Jeffrey Judge gave the home side a big advantage. Pike were dealt a further blow with the dismissal of long servant Pat Mullins.

Former Limerick FC player Daragh Rainsford pulled a goal back for Mick Sheil’s side as he was allowed far too much room to waltz into the box before placing a shot into the corner of the net. New signing Evan Patterson is having a big impact at Pike and the left-back produced again as he rifled home an equaliser from the left hand side.

Pike will look to continue their unbeaten start as they host Prospect Priory on Thursday and travel to Nenagh on Sunday. Janesboro will also be looking to maintain their unbeaten start as they have two tough trips to both Regional and Prospect. Charleville have responded extremely well to their early season troubles by picking up four points from a possible six in the last week.

They enjoyed a superb 7-1 victory over Nenagh on Sunday as striker Pat O’Callaghan continues to find the net. Charleville are just outside the relegation zone despite being docked three points for failing to fulfil a fixture with Janesboro. They face both Kilmallock and Ballynanty this week.

Regional bounced back from a narrow defeat to Pike to beat Aisling Annacotty 3-1. Former Limerick striker Sean McSweeney scored a brace and Kieran O’Connell was also on target for the Doradoyle based club. Regional face Janesboro on Thursday and Geraldines away on Sunday. Fairview Rangers have been boosted by the signings of former Carew Park duo Adam Frahill and Jamie Enright and will face Nenagh at the Fairgreen before travelling to Kilmallock on Sunday.