Pike and Ballynanty look to close gap on leaders Janesboro

The PJ Matthews Premier Division title race continues on Sunday with two of the top three in action at home venues as they look to claw back the lead held by Janesboro. Also, there is action in the Touhy and Lawson Cups while Limerick District League take on Donegal District League in the Oscar Traynor Trophy.

Janesboro continue to represent Limerick in the tournament as they make the ardous trip to Inishowen to take on Donegal on Saturday at 8pm. Aidan Ryan and Shane O’Hanlon will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Galway before Christmas. The Pearse Stadium outfit warmed up for the tie with a 4-1 win over Kilfrush Crusaders in the Lawson Cup. A win would should see Limerick advance to the next phase of the competition.

On Thursday evening, old foes Fairview Rangers and Pike Rovers meet at Jackman Park in the semi final of the Touhy Cup (7pm). Many points separate the two sides in the league but on their last meeting, an entertaining 2-2 draw was played out at the Fairgreen. Pike had to come back from 2-0 down through second half goals from Paddy O’Malley and former player Daragh Rainsford. It is possibly Fairview’s only realistic chance of winning silverware this season.

In the PJ Matthews Premier League, Ballynanty host Kilmallock on Sunday at 11am. Both sides are coming off the back of great victories in the Munster Junior Cup. Kilmallock secured victory over Avenue United with a late Barry Sheedy goal. Ballynanty won a dramatic penalty shootout against Killarney Celtic. The game finished 0-0 after extra time. Donal Magee’s Ballynanty defeated Kilmallock earlier in the season.

Both sides have different ambitions as Ballynanty look to keep touch with table toppers Janesboro. Kilmallock are battling to avoid relegation but are five points ahead of Charleville with two games in hand. Traditionally, the county Limerick side have finished seasons strongly.

Pike will also be looking to keep pace with the leaders as they entertain Charleville at Crosagalla. It will be a quick turnaround after the Touhy Cup semi-final for Mick Sheil’s men but they will be expected to add to the Cork based side’s worries with a victory on Sunday. Pike comfortably defeated Charleville when the sides met earlier this season. Having lost Daragh Rainsford to Cork, Pike added Ian Fletcher to their squad and he scored in the Munster Junior Cup victory over City Wanderers last week.

Charleville’s three year stay in the premier division is under severe threat as they are five points adrift. There will be a heavy reliance on striking duo Shane Dillon and Pat Callaghan, who despite the club’s poor season with just two victories, have still managed to score 23 goals. The problem has been in defence, where 66 league goals have been conceded.

Last year’s promoted duo Geraldines and Prospect face off at the Garryowen Green on Sunday morning. Both sides have played 13 games and there are six points separating them. Up until now, Geraldines have enjoyed a comfortable season but heavy defeats to the top sides in recent weeks means that Derek Braddish Prospect side can put challenge their hosts for seventh place with a win.

Priory have a much better defensive record but have only scored half the amount that Derek Hannon’s side have managed. Last week’s victory over Douglas Hall in the Munster Junior Cup will give the Garryowen men plenty of impetus to put pressure on Aisling Annacotty in a bid to finish in the top half of the table. Prospect have two games in hand but are just six points above the drop zone. However, it would take an unlikely set of events to drag them into the relegation battle.

There are four fixtures in the Lawson Cup on Sunday with some competitive fixtures down for decision. Galtee Fuels 1A table toppers Coonagh United host 1B promotion hopefuls Hill Celtic (11am). Coonagh defeated league rivals Summerville in the last round while Hill Celtic beat 1A side Castle Rovers. With former Ballynanty player Alex Purcell and former Carew Park man Pa Boyle among their ranks, they will be a formidable opposition for anyone.

Two more high flyers meet at Derryleigh Park as Newport face 2A leaders Hyde Rangers (2.15). In 24 games combined, the sides have 20 victories in their respective leagues which shows how desperate both teams will be to show case their talents against higher league opposition in the latter stages of the Lawson Cup. Mungret Regional host Fairview Rangers looking to create a shock. Fairview will have to negotiate a massive game with Pike Rovers on Thursday and Keith McNicholas side will be hoping to take advantage. Mungret trail Coonagh by two points in 1A and will certainly provide tough opposition for their illustrious opponents.

Division 1A rivals Holycross and Atlunkard will clash with both sides having contrasting seasons in the league. Holycross will be looking to bounce back from a narrow Munster Junior Cup defeat against Sporting Ennistymon.

Atlunkard have taken 1A by storm this season and are involved in the promotion race for the premier Division. Villa are just three points behind Mungret. In the FAI under-17 Cup, Aisling Annacotty travel to Cork to face Blarney on Sunday afternoon (2pm). They will be hoping to follow in their junior teams footsteps who comprehensively defeated Blarney 4-0 in the FAI Junior Cup.