Re-Fixed Munster Junior Cup clashes for Limerick Sides

Following the mass postponement of Irish junior football matches due to Storm Dennis last week, four of the five Limerick District League sides left in the competition will take to the field this Sunday. Fairview Rangers and Regional United have gained home advantage due to last weekend’s cancellation.

Aisling Annacotty will once again host Drinagh Rangers in Annacotty on Sunday (12pm). Much like last week, Aisling manager Mike Aherne expects to have a full squad to choose from and the side will be boosted by the experience of Shane Tracy to the squad for the provincial competition, as Tracy has played in the Munster Senior Cup on many occasions with Limerick FC, winning the trophy once.

Fairview Rangers tie with Stradbally of Waterford also fell victim to the weather last Saturday and has led to the re-fixing of the tie to the University of Limerick on Sunday (2pm). Fairview are massive favourites for the game as their opponents are currently second in the third tier of Waterford football.

It will be a difficult assignment for the Suirsiders as Jason Purcell’s men have lost just once all season and key players such as Ross Mann, Mark Slattery and Aaron Savage are in great form at present. Purcell has built one of the best junior squads in the county at present and they will be buoyed by the victory over big rivals Pike in their recent competitive outing in the FAI Junior Cup.

Regional United will also enjoy home advantage following last week’s cancellation. Coachford had implemented contingency plans by booking Crosshaven astroturf facility but due to the arrival of the torrential rain and stormy conditions, the game could not take place.

As we have mentioned previously, the Munster Junior Cup offers Limerick sides a superb chance at major silverware as Cork junior soccer isn’t the main priority in the country’s second largest city. With the Munster Senior League being so strong, many of the stronger players play at that level. It has been proven by Cork club’s performance in both the provincial tournament and the FAI Junior Cup in recent years.

The big Limerick derby will take place on Sunday afternoon with Pike Rovers facing Geraldines at Crosagalla (2pm). Last week, the game was postponed due to the tragic death of a relative of a Geraldines player. As a result, Robbie Williams side keep home advantage which may prove vital in this fixture, as Geraldines ran Pike close at the Garryowen Green in a 2-2 draw in the league earlier this season.

The Hoops will be desperate for victory on two fronts. They will want to avenge their exit from the FAI Junior Cup to bitter rivals Fairview three weeks ago and will also look to win back the Munster Junior Cup which they surrendered on penalties last year. Before last year’s defeat to St. Michaels, Pike had won the competition in 2017 and 2018.