Watch: Sheil confident Pike can compete on all fronts in 2018/2019

Pike Rovers manager Mick Sheil is satisfied with the start his side have made to the season but feels there is more in his team. Pike have started with three victories and a draw in their first four games. They have overcame the challenge of Charleville, Carew Park and Geraldines while drawing with fierce rivals Fairview last Sunday.

The Munster Junior Cup holders travel to Dooradoyle on Thursday night to take on Regional. Sheil reckons that the pressure will be on Regional to get a result following their 3-1 defeat to table toppers Ballynanty on Sunday.

“Yeah they drew with Fairview last week and they were beaten yesterday so even at this early stage with us coming to town, they are probably going to have to win that game. It put’s a little bit of pressure on them and they have made a lot of signings during the summer. I haven’t seen them so it is difficult for me to say what to expect.”

Pike have enjoyed a better start to the season than last year before Sheil’s return. It is a hectic period with at least three games a week for most clubs. The Pike manager admits he is not a supporter of this time of the season.

“I don’t particularly like this time of the season. You don’t get a chance to work on things and you get sloppy goals against you as a result. I feel we haven’t been as solid defensively but we are a little more open, possession and attack based with the technical players that we have now. We want to play a more expansive game now.”

It was a poor weekend for the premier division in Limerick junior soccer with one walkover and one abandonment. Sheil believes that a lot of negative press for these incidents is unwarranted at this stage.

“Other teams are none of my business really. I think you guys in the media and with social media everything is a crisis. I’m pretty sure in the 80’s, 90’s and noughties when Fairview were winning FAI Cup’s, they got all the good players and they were a few thrashings handed out. All the good players migrate to the best teams.”

All premier games scheduled for Thursday night will kick off at 6.30 pm. Sheil also discusses the recent tough FAI Senior Cup clash with UCD as well as the departures and arrivals at the club over the summer period.

To watch the full interview, click on the link below.