Limerick District League Premier Division Preview

There are six games taking place in the Limerick District League Premier Division on Sunday morning as the hectic schedule of games comes to a close and we return to weekly Sunday morning fixtures. The return to a normal routine cannot come quickly enough for some with squads stretched currently. All games will kick off at 10.30.

Pike Rovers vs Regional United: On paper, the game between Pike and Regional will be the most evenly contested. Despite a home defeat to Ballynanty Rovers, Robbie Williams outfit have been comprehensive winners against Prospect, Geraldines and Coonagh United.

The Hoops have transitioned from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 shape this season but only a handful of players have nailed down positions in the team. Kieran Hanlon has scored three goals in two games as he returns to full fitness and his goal scoring will need to continue as Pike remain without the services of the injured Johnathan Grant.

Regional United have made a solid start to the season with four points from a possible nine on the pitch. However, as has been well documented, the Dooradoyle club were awarded six points for the games called off against Janesboro and Prospect Priory.

Regional will have played last year’s top three following the meeting with Pike but will be looking for a better outcome than last week’s 1-0 defeat to Ballynanty. Scoring goals appears to be a slight issue for Tom O’Connell’s side with a heavy reliance on midfield maestro Kieran O’Connell.

Aisling Annacotty vs Prospect Priory: Aisling Annacotty host Prospect hoping to keep their 100% start to the season intact. The game will take place on the grass pitch at Annacotty. Shane O’Hanlon has brought in four new players thus far with John Mulready, Shane Stack, Keith Mawdsley and Adam Foley all having a positive impact.

The Munster Junior Cup winners have been free-scoring so far with 15 goals in three games and the likes of Foley, Shane Clarke and Aaron Murphy scoring regularly. Another pleasing aspect for O’Hanlon will be the scoring contribution from his defenders with Killian Maloney, Nathan O’Callaghan and Thomas Clarke all scoring against Coonagh in 0-5 win.

Prospect had a big win of their own last week with a 7-0 demolition of Kilmallock. It was Wayne Colbert’s first win as player manager and the former Limerick man will be integral in the center of defence.

Colbert will be hoping to maintain a good home record this season and Prospect are tipped as top six candidates due to addition of several players to improve the depth of the squad which was lacking last season.

Geraldines vs Mungret Regional: This game is massive for both sides who find themselves at the wrong end of the table after four games. The Garryowen outfit are enduring a very tough start with defeats against Ballynanty, Coonagh, Pike and Regional.

Following a good season last year, Derek Hannon will be disappointed by the start but the Coonagh defeat will hurt the most. It is definitely a relegation battle for the club now and games against the teams around them including Sunday’s opponents will shape their season.

Geraldines need more firepower at present with Shane Byrne being the only option up front. Mungret Regional had a tough start to the season with defeats against Fairview and Ballynanty. Eddie Storan’s men also drew 4-4 at home to Janesboro.

Storan will be hoping to improve the defensive record as it was the backbone to a solid return to to the Premier Division last year, including a 1-1 draw with Pike Rovers. James Roche returned in goals on Sunday which was a big boost as he and centre-back Brian Cotter, who was absent for the Ballynanty defeat, will be integral in a young side.

Coonagh United vs Janesboro: Both sides were tipped to be battling it out at the wrong end of the table this season but both camps will be delighted with their respective starts. Coonagh have been recently strengthened by the return of striker Ger Myles.

It was feared that the team would be decimated following the departure of the likes of Myles, manager John Spillane, goalkeeper Kieran Simmonds and defender Sean O’Dwyer but player-manager Keith Doran has steadied the ship with the arrival of the Harnett brothers and new goalkeeper Jose Zacquiem.

Coonagh suffered heavy defeats to Ballynanty and Annacotty but picked up vital wins against Geraldines and Kilmallock. There are now 6 points between Coonagh and the relegation zone. Jason O’Connor’s new look Janesboro outfit have enjoyed a good start to their season with two wins and a draw. The young Janesboro outfit have showed plenty of grit and determination against both Nenagh and Kilmallock to earn wins and to rescue a draw in Mungret.

Ballynanty Rovers vs Nenagh: Ballynanty Rovers have made a superb start under new manager Dave Dunphy with five wins from five. The biggest improvement this season has been in defence with the arrival of two young players in Jake Dillon and Adam Costelloe. Two clean sheets against both Mungret and Regional will please the new management team.

Connor Ellis will remain on the sidelines for the foreseeable future through injury but the goals are spread among the rest of the team with Derek Daly and Arron Nunan stepping up to the mark in recent weeks.

Nenagh made a bright start to the season with victory over Kilmallock and a good performance in a narrow defeat to Annacotty at home. Home form will be huge for Nenagh but they must improve on their travels. It has been tough for Nenagh as players have been missing due to the fact that they have been away from home for all their evening games so far. However, Nenagh would have expected to perform better than the recent 3-1 defeat to Janesboro.

Kilmallock vs Fairview Rangers: It has been an horrendous start to the season for Kilmallock as they are rooted to the bottom of the table. It is a recipe for disaster when you concede as many goals as the county Limerick outfit are currently and it is a trend that must be stopped soon if they are to remain a Premier Division club.

There may only be five games gone but this part of the season is critical and sets teams up for the rest of the campaign. Niall O’Riordan is missing players through hurling commitments but by the time Kilmallock are finished in the club championships, it could be too late to rescue the situation.

It does not get any easier as they welcome Fairview to Kilmallock. Fairview manager Jason Purcell has a dilemma as he needs players to be fresh ahead of next week’s FAI Junior Cup Final but will also need match sharpness. Fairview have a big squad available and will be expected to win the game tomorrow morning. Experienced players like Paul Danagher and Robbie Kelleher have stepped up with goals in rare starts recently.