Quiet weekend in Limerick junior soccer

Due to the FAI Senior Cup final between Cork City and Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, there is a curtailed fixture list this weekend in Limerick junior soccer. There are three fixtures taking place on Saturday evening with all three beginning at 7pm. 

Struggling Charleville host Geraldines and will be hoping to bounce back from a crushing defeat against reigning league champions Janesboro, albeit the Cork outfit were short of many first team players. Charleville need to add to their tally of 1 point quickly if they are to avoid being cut adrift with bottom side Carew Park. Geraldines will be happy with their return to the premier division so far as they sit comfortably in midtable, seven points ahead of fellow promoted club Prospect. Derek Hannon’s side could finish the weekend in 5th place if results go their way. 

The Mike Aherne led Aisling Annacotty welcome Pike Rovers to the astroturf pitch in Annacotty. It will be an extremely tough game for the home side who have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign. They are currently in the top half of the table with four wins from 9 and only 3 defeats. Pike had a superb victory over Ballynanty in their last fixture. A thoroughly professional performance ensured that Mick Sheil’s side claimed top spot in the PJ Matthews Premier League. Both Daragh Rainsford and goal poacher Johnathan Grant  are a handful for any opposition at this level. 

High flying Regional face Nenagh in Dooradoyle having beaten the Tipperary outfit 10-1 in their recent FAI meeting. Regional have made their home patch somewhat of a fortress having defeated Janesboro twice. The influx of former Limerick FC under 19’s players is continuing to help. Jack Lynch, son of former Limerick FC manager Tommy, has been a star performer and was awarded the Limerick junior soccer player of the month for September. 

In other news, Janesboro Football Club will represent the Limerick District League in the Oscar Traynor Trophy this season. Aidan Ryan and Shane O’Hanlon will lead the team. Normally, a manager is appointed by the Limerick District League Committee and players are selected from a variety of clubs. However, due to a lack of applications, last year’s league champions have taken the challenge. The club begin the campaign against the Clare District League side at Jackman Park on Monday night (7pm).