Limerick District League Fixtures Released

The first fixture list for the 2022/2022 Limerick District League fixture list has been released this evening and will begin on Tuesday, August 16th. Divisions 3B and 3A will kick off the local soccer calendar.

The Premier Division will begin two days later on August 18th with 6 fixtures down for decision. The league will take the same format as last season with each side playing 11 matches before being split into a top 6 and bottom 6 based on the accumulation of points in those 11 games.

The top 6 will play each other at home and away with the league winner being decided. The bottom six will also face each other at home and away with the team finishing in 7th winning the shield. The bottom two sides will be relegated once again. The points from the first 11 games will be carried over to the split second half of the season.

Last season, Pike Rovers and Fairview Rangers finished level on points during the regular season with the Hoops winning the play-off and being crowned league champions. Janesboro were crowned the winners of the shield while Geraldines and Kilmallock were relegated. They will be replaced in this year’s top flight by Carew Park and Charleville.

Pike Rovers begin their defence of their title with a mouth watering clash with Ballynanty Rovers who challenged for honours last season. Ballynanty have lost the services of Conor Ellis and Jake Dillon who have both joined Fairview Rangers but have added the likes of Cian Power to their ranks and will be looking to challenge for the title once again this season. Pike have signed John Connery from Ballynanty also but have lost last year’s top goal scorer Conor Layng. The cohort of experienced players like Eoin Hanrahan, Wayne and Eddie O’Donovan and Gary Neville have also re-signed. Dave Dunphy remains in charge of Balla while Robbie Williams will once again steer the ship at Crosagalla.

On the opening night, Fairview Rangers host Coonagh with both sides entering the season under new management. Paul Danagher has replaced Jason Purcell at Fairview and will be assisted by former Fairview player and manager Paul O’Donnell.

It is a hard act to follow for the former Limerick FC player of the year with Purcell winning both the Munster Junior and FAI Junior Cup during his second term with the club. However, the league title has eluded them since 2003 and Danagher will be looking to end that drought. Paudie Hickey and Ian Connolly have taken the reigns at Coonagh and will be hoping to steer the club clear of relegation trouble.

Mungret Regional are under the guidance of manager Richie Burke for a second season and will face new boys Carew Park who are managed by Albert Slattery. Mungret have added experience to the squad with the likes of Donie Curtin and Aled Harkin signing while Carew Park have signed the likes of Arron Nunan and Jamie Enright ahead of the big kick-off.

Regional United begin life under Sean Russell with a home fixture against Nenagh who will once again be led by Cillian Fitzpatrick. Both sides reached the top 6 last season and that will be the realistic aim on paper once again. Jack Arra has recently returned to Dooradoyle following a 6 month spell with Treaty United.

Janesboro welcome Prospect to Pearse Stadium on the opening night as Shane O’Hanlon returns to aid Daithi O’Donoghue and its a similar looking squad to the one which won the shield last season. Prospect have had a tough pre-season campaign and after a season of struggle last year, Wayne Colbert will be assisted by Keith Harnett for the new season.

Aisling Annacotty have arguably made the most impressive signing of the summer window with Irish junior international Chris Smith joining from St. Michael’s while former Michael’s team-mate Gavin Dillon has also signed for John Lysaght’s men. AJ Moloney has crossed over from Fairview Rangers while Kian Barry has joined from Mungret. Annacotty will be disappointed at how easily their season tailed off last year and will be expecting improvement with the signings made. They host league newcomers Charleville to Annacotty with the Cork club guided by Adam Castle after a successful promotion campaign.

Below is the full fixture list for the opening night of the Premier Division season with all games kicking off at 6.30.

Premier League

Thursday, August 18th

Fairview Rgs v Coonagh Utd, A Keogh

Mungret Reg v Carew Park, Mike Monahan

Regional Utd v Nenagh AFC, K Gorman

Pike Rovers v Ballynanty Rovers, A Hall, S Rooney, R. McCann

Janesboro v Prospect Priory, J McNamara

Aisling Annacotty v Charleville, B Higgins