WATCH: Janesboro’s Aidan Ryan speaks with Sporting Limerick ahead of the Munster Junior Cup final

Janesboro manager Aidan Ryan took time out to speak with Sporting Limerick ahead of the Munster Junior Cup final between Janesboro and Pike Rovers at Jackman Park on Friday night (kick off 7pm). It promises to be a great occasion for Limerick junior soccer as it two of it’s fiercest rivals face off in a provincial final.

Ryan’s side are in great form and he is certainly looking forward to the great occasion;

“Yeah we are all looking forward to the game. Obviously, it is on in the home of football and of the LDMC in Jackman Park. Two of the biggest teams in Munster if not the country face off and its great to see two Limerick teams make the final for the city.”

Many outsiders tipped ‘Boro as one of the favourites to win the FAI Junior Cup this season. Following a relatively early exit to eventual winners North End, attentions turned elsewhere. Despite reaching the provincial final, Ryan maintains that the league was the main target at the beginning of the season for the southsiders;

“We are all aspiring to win provincial and national trophies. But it’s no secret that our target at the start of the year was to retain the league. This club has never retained the league so we set that as our number one target. Now that we have got the Munster Junior final, I am going to use an old cliché that it is a great bonus for us and we are delighted to be there.”

Both Janesboro and Pike have been direct rivals for league honours over the last decade. Both squads boast many ex League of Ireland players among their ranks. However, Ryan feels that the focus must be on winning the Munster Junior Cup and not on gaining the bragging rights locally;

“No (it would not make the victory sweeter against Pike). It’s got to be about the game. You have got to take the game in the context of what you are playing. We are in a Munster Junior Cup final and it doesn’t matter who we are playing. We want to go out and win it regardless. I think the fact that it’s Pike is just great for the city. It’s great for the Limerick league because it helps enhance the Limerick league’s reputation.”

You can watch the full interview with Aidan by clicking on the play button below: