Limerick Junior Soccer action resumes this weekend following Christmas break

The Limerick Junior soccer schedule returns this weekend following the Christmas break. Games were due to return last weekend but inclement weather led to a timely decision by the LDMC to make a blanket call on matches due to several weather warnings. There are games taking place in every league from the PJ Matthews Premier League to division 4. Furthermore, there is a massive all-Limerick tie in the FAI Junior Cup where Pike Rovers host Regional United. Another Limerick side are in action on Saturday night as northside based club Coonagh United are away to Grattan United. In the Munster Junior Cup, 1B Kilfrush host St. Brendan’s Park of Kerry at Elton.

As previously mentioned, the biggest clash of the weekend will be the meeting of Pike Rovers and Regional United in the 5th round of the FAI Junior Cup. Kick-off is 2pm at Crosagalla and a big crowd will be expected. It is a shame for Limerick to lose one of these sides at a relatively early stage of the competition. It means that chances of the cup returning to Limerick will rest on the shoulders of a maximum of two clubs. Coonagh United have enjoyed a great run in the competition and they will travel to Cork to face Grattan United on Saturday with a 2pm kick-off. Coonagh have been scoring for fun in both the league and cup this season and will fancy their chances of causing another surprise.

In local action, there are four games taking place at 11 am on Sunday morning. There is a massive top of the table clash taking place at Pearse Stadium on Sunday morning. Reigning champions Janesboro will host Carew Park and hold a six point advantage over Albert Slattery’s side with the same number of games played. Both sides have been champions in the last two years and Carew will be desperate to claw back the deficit.

Aisling Annacotty host Ballynanty Rovers on the Annacotty astroturf. Balla will be hoping that they can complete their own search for victory while also hoping for a favourable result from Pearse Stadium. Tom Daly’s side are currently level on points with Carew Park and are joint second. However, they have played a game more than their rivals so will need a positive set of results to stay in the race. Following high profile signings such as Shaun Kelly, Joel Coustrain and Clyde O’Connell, Ballynanty have struggled for form and consistency. Aisling are a tough team to beat on their home patch and in a tight league are still right in the mix to finish in the top four.

Nenagh will entertain Charleville as both sides look to turn around what have been disappointing seasons for differing reasons. Nenagh burst onto the premier division scene in 2016/2017 and took the title race to the final day of the season only to fall short. However, they have failed to show the same form this campaign and are currently 7th in the league. Charleville are battling to avoid relegation but the newcomers are currently in the relegation zone, trailing Moyross by three points. It looks like a three horse race to avoid the drop between Holycross, Charleville and Moyross with Kilmallock still not safe.

Jason Purcell managed Fairview Rangers host bottom club Holycross who will need no reminding that they have yet to register a single point this season. A win for Farivew will certainly result in guaranteed safety barring a miracle. After a tumultuous pre-season, that is a good starting point. It is a busy weekend for the Fairgreen club as their minor side travel to Cork on Saturday to play St. Mary’s in the Munster Youth Cup. Holycross look to be heading straight back to division 1A but are certainly not mathematically out of the fight. They trail Moyross by seven points with 11 games to play.