Hectic Junior Soccer Schedule Continues This Week

The Limerick District League Premier Division schedule is always gruelling in August.

In an attempt to avoid delays during winter months due to inclement weather conditions, the LDMC attempt to play a number of fixtures when pitches are in good condition and evenings are long.

The 2019/2020 season is no different with Premier Division sides as well as sides in all leagues readying themselves for a third game in a week.

There are six fixtures to be decided on Thursday, August 22nd at 6.30 pm. The most eye catching fixtures sees an in-form Fairview Rangers face Ballynanty Rovers at the Fairgreen.

Jason Purcell’s Faiview have scored 12 goals and conceded none in their first two fixtures. Firstly, they defeated newly promoted Mungret Regional 4-0 away from home and followed that up with another 8-0 trouncing of Prospect Priory, also away from their home base.

The Fairgreen outfit have a frightening front line which is also full of pace with former Limerick FC duo Ross Mann and Daragh Raninsford at the head of the attack.

Former Aisling Annacotty player Jason Lipper has also started the season with four goals. The youthful attack is complimented by experienced players such as Jeffrey Judge, Mark Slattery and Paul Danaher.

Ballynanty will certainly have a lot of work to do to halt Fairview’s positive start. Donal Magee’s men were dealt a blow this week with the news that Arron Nunan was departing to join Janesboro, but the signing of Connor Ellis is a huge boost.

Adrian Power was a significant capture and he rescued a point for his side in last week’s draw with Kilmallock.

Despite falling behind twice against Coonagh on Sunday, goals from Dan Lucey, Kenneth Meehan and a penalty from Barry Quinn gave a relieved home side the win.

Janesboro bounced back from their surprising 6-1 defeat to Pike on the opening night with a 1-0 win over Aisling Annacotty. The aforementioned Arron Nunan got the winner with five minutes remaining.

Aidan Ryan and Shane O’Hanlon’s team will face last year’s bogey side Regional United at Dooradoyle.

Regional knocked ‘Boro out of the FAI and Munster Junior Cups last season as well as beating them in the league at Pearse Stadium, but the league champions were awarded the points following a successful objection against the fielding of Sosuke Kimura.

Regional currently have a 100% record in the league following two narrow wins over Annacotty and Mungret. Shane O’Donoghue’s men have had a great home record and will be looking to continue that.

Former Regional duo Declan Cusack and Pat McDonagh will be lining out for Janesboro against their former club.

Pike Rovers will be looking to return to winning ways when they entertain Kilmallock at Crosagalla. Robbie Williams side were held to a 2-2 draw against Geraldines on Sunday after a superb opening night win over Janesboro.

Only for a late Conor Kavanagh penalty, the Hoops would have left the Garryowen Green empty handed.

Geraldines have began brightly this season and were unlucky not to get all three point last Sunday. Re-signed Cian O’Donoghue finished off a super team goal and Kevin Barry looked a real handful for the opposition defence.

Geraldines travel to Aisling who will be desperate to pick up their first points off the season following narrow defeats to Regional and Janesboro. Geraldines now have a 4 point head start on a team which finished above them in 6th place in 2019.

Coonagh and Nenagh will be looking to build on positive performances at the weekend when they meet at the newly promoted side’s home venue on Thursday. Coonagh will be disappointed not to have gained at least a point from their short trip to Limerick Institute of Technology to face Ballynanty.

Going down by the odd goal in 5, Coonagh have certainly showed they have the capability to score goals with four scored already this year.

Centre-back Joey Sheahan missed a second half penalty which proved crucial as Ballynanty scored late on. Nenagh were 1-0 winners over Kilmallock thanks to a Danny Butler goal.

Mungret and Prospect will face off in Mungret with both looking to build on just 1 point from 12 between them.

Mungret have lost 4-0 and 2-1 to Fairview and Regional respectively but if there is any consolation for Eddie Storan’s young side, it is the fact that both opponents are expected to be in the top 5 this season.

Prospect have had a tough start to the season and will be hoping they can shake off any “second season syndrome” predictions with a win.

Having taken a 2-0 lead away to Coonagh, goals from Will Brick and Joey Sheahan denied victory for the Southside club.

An 8-0 defeat to title challengers Fairview may be damaging to confidence but they will need the experienced players in the squad to lead from the front to re-gain confidence quickly.