PJ Matthews Premier League returns

After weeks of cup action and very little competitive premier division league action, there will be four games in the PJ Matthews Premier League in Limerick this weekend as well as a big game in the Munster Junior Cup. There will also be a packed schedule in the lower leagues as well as a match in the Tuohy Cup. All three of Sunday’s premier division matches will begin at 11am.

Pike Rovers face Killmallock at Crossagalla on Sunday(11am) in the Tuohy Cup and will be strong favourites to advance to the next round. However, Kilmallock ran Pike’s title rivals Janesboro very close in their league encounter just one week ago. Two goals from Shane Clarke helped Janesboro to a hard fought 2-1 victory. 

Fairview Rangers and Ballynanty Rovers will lock horns for the third time in a month when they face off in the premier division at Limerick Institute of Technology. Fairview ran out winners in the Tuohy Cup after a penalty shoot-out while Balla enacted revenge when they beat Jason Purcell’s side 2-3 in the FAI Cup. With both of these results in mind, it will be a tough game to call. 

Bottom placed Carew Park host Regional with both sides in contrasting form. Regional are flying it this season and remain an outsider for the title although it will be difficult to catch the trio above them. With a young and energetic team available to choose from they are a danger to anyone in Ireland at present, especially at home. Due to Carew’s struggles, it is hard to see past Regional for a victory in this one. 

Nenagh will host Prospect off the back of their exit in the Munster Junior Cup on penalties. Like Kilmallock, Regional have struggled this season but have managed to push both Janesboro and Ballynanty all the way, showing some of the form which allowed them to challenge for the title not so long ago. Both teams will view this as a winnable game. The home side have dropped to third bottom and will be looking to cut the bottom two adrift. Prospect can take a huge step towards safety with a victory. With Pike in Tuohy Cup action, Janesboro can move to the top of the league table on a temporary basis with a home victory over Aisling Annacotty at Pearse Stadium. Aisling can break into the top five if they were to win and Fairview should fail to win at Ballynanty.

Second from bottom Charleville will be aiming to move within two points of Nenagh with a home victory over Aisling Annacotty. The game will take place on Saturday at 7pm. Janesboro host Geraldines in the Munster Junior Cup at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (2.15). There will be pressure on ‘Boro as one of the favourites for the competition whereas Geraldines will draw inspiration from Regional Utd defeating Janesboro in the FAI Cup as they look to advance in a competition they reached the final in 2014.