Geraldines AFC welcome St. Michaels to the Markets Field on Sunday afternoon for an eagerly anticipated Munster Junior Cup semi-final clash (2pm). Geraldines will be looking to avenge their 2014 final defeat at the hands of the Tipperary opposition at Jackman Park.
The Garryowen based club were delighted to change the fixture to the Markets Field which has been known for many years as the spiritual home of Limerick soccer but is also in the heart of Garryowen and just metres from the club’s base.
With work getting underway to improve the Markets Field surface last week, it was doubtful as to whether the club would be allowed to fulfil the fixture in the plush surroundings.
However, the pitch is ready for action and the team will train at the venue this evening (Friday).
Geraldines are in search of their first success in the Munster Junior Cup in 40 years. The club were promoted from the second tier of Limerick soccer last season and have enjoyed a steady return to the top flight of Limerick junior soccer.
Just four of the players involved in the 2014 final remain with the club, two of which were starters. Bobby Tier and Christy O’Neill started in midfield and will once again be the engine for the team. Thomas O’Grady and Eddie Lee were on the substitutes bench that day.
There are many players who will be playing at this stage of the competition for the first time. Clifton Carey has spent many years in the lower leagues while Dean McNamara, Karl Turner and Cian Byrnes have played at premier level for many years without reaching the latter stages of national competitions.
It is a great opportunity for the whole squad to showcase their talents in the second biggest club competition you can win as a Limerick junior soccer player. The players and management will certainly need the support of all locals as they face formidable opposition.
St. Michaels have already reached the final of the FAI Junior Cup and like many in Limerick, are awaiting the outcome of the Regional appeal, before having any idea of who they will face in the final.
With the likes of Jimmy Carr Chris Higgins and Paul Breen still at the club, James Walsh’s side will be confident of winning all three major trophies this season.
If Geraldines were to earn victory, they would face either Limerick District League rivals Pike Rovers or Clare League outfit Newmarket Celtic in the final.