Fairview Maintain Lead at top of Premier Division

Fairview Rangers maintained their three point lead at the top of the Limerick District League Premier Division on Sunday morning with a 0-3 win over near neighbours Geraldines at the Garryowen Green.

This game certainly had the potential to pose problems for Jason Purcell’s visitors with just three points separating the sides. However, the Fairgreen outfit were dominant for the majority of the game as they remain three points ahead of nearest challengers Pike Rovers.

The visitors took the lead after just 2 minutes when striker Ross Mann was set free and outpaced Bobby Tier before cutting the ball back to Jeffery Judge at the edge of the box and the former Limerick FC man coolly curled the ball into the top corner.

Before Derek Hannon’s side had time to recover, Fairview doubled their lead as Eddie Byrnes played a through ball to Mann who did exceptionally well to finish from just inside the area as he was running away from goal.

Geraldines first chance came in the form of a Shane Byrne free-kick as the striker’s drilled effort was deflected onto the crossbar.

The away side almost extended their lead on the break as James Fitzgerald picked the ball up on the half way line and cleared in the direction of Mann, who was causing havoc all morning, The former Limerick beat goalkeeper John Ryan from close range but was denied by the post.

At the beginning of the second half, the game was almost wrapped up as Fitzgerald cross for Judge who hit the crossbar from just 8 yards out. Purcell’s charges did manage to ensure the victory as a powerful run to the by-line by Mann resulted in a cross to the edge of the area where AJ O’Connor pounced to slot home a third goal.

As the game came to a close, the lively Fitzgerald was unfortunate to see his curling effort to hit the post and former Janesboro man Danny O’Neill missed a late penalty for Geraldines.

The performance continues a winning run for Fairview who will now face St. John Bosco in the FAI Junior Cup sixth round at the Fairgreen next Sunday.

‘Geraldines: John Ryan, Danny ONeill, Thomas O’Grady (Cian O’Donoghue), Bobby Tier, Cian Byrnes, Ross Mitchell, George Daffy (Kevin Barry), Christy O’Neill, Dean McNamara (Will O’Neill), Shane Byrne, Cian Collins

Fairview Rangers: Aaron Savage, Jamie Enright, Clyde O’Connell, Mark Slattery (Paul Danaher), Liam Byrnes (Brian Fitzgerald, Stephen Bradley (Conor McCormack), Jeffrey Judge, AJ O’Connor, James Fitzgerald, Eddie Byrnes (John Mullane), Ross Mann