Meeting of Ballynanty and Pike Rovers is the main event this weekend

There are three games in the PJ Matthews Premier League this weekend with league leaders Ballynanty Rovers facing Pike Rovers in a huge clash at Limerick Institute of Technology on Sunday (2pm). Ballynanty have had a superb start to life under new manager Donal Magee with a 100% winning record across all competitions. The Northside club have also been scoring goals for fun with 30 goals scored. They also boast the meanest defence in the league with just six goals conceded.

However, Magee will be wary of the threat that Mick Sheil’s side pose to their perfect start to the season. Last year’s beaten FAI Junior Cup finalists are the only team to score more goals than their opponents with 44. Also, they have conceded just one more goal than Ballynanty. Even at this early stage of the season, it feels like a huge game in the title race. If Balla secure three points, they will go four points clear of Pike with a game in hand. 

In the other game on Sunday, Geraldines play host to struggling Carew Park who suffered a disappointing 5-3 defeat to Brazuca in the Munster Junior Cup last weekend. Geraldines will be expected to win the game as they aim to keep pace with the teams in the top half of the table. It has been well documented that Carew Park suffered an enormous player turnover over a three week period just before the season and have endured some poor results since. The club were league winners just four seasons ago and a fight to stay in the premier division has well and truly begun. 

Third place Janesboro travel to Chaleville on Saturday evening (7pm). ‘Boro enjoyed a morale boosting 4-2 win over Fairview Rangers after extra time in the Munster Junior Cup. Aidan Ryan and Shane O’Hanlon must have feared the worst when Brian Murphy gave Fairview the lead but goals from front pair Shane Clarke and Keith Mawdsley gave the home side the lead. Murphy equalised late on but goals in extra time from Thomas Clarke and Niall Hanley earned a vital win. With the top two in the division facing eachother, Janesboro will see it as an opportunity to leapfrog one of their rivals. 

The FAI Junior Cup third round takes place on Sunday with all games kicking off at 10.30. Premier Division Prospect Priory face a tricky task against promotion chasing division 1A side Coonagh United who have the likes of former premier league winner Mark McGrath in their squad. In the all premier division tie, Nenagh will be looking to upset a new look Regional side who have started the campaign in good form. The additions of former Limerick FC players Sean McSweeney, Clyde O’Connell and Jack Lynch have really boosted the ranks.