Clubs set for busy start as new season set to kick off

PIKE Rovers start out on the defence of their remarkable four trophy haul of 2010/’11 tomorrow night as the new soccer season kicks-off in earnest.

Declan Considine remains at the helm of the Crossagalla outfit as they bid to defend their FAI, Lawson, Tuohy, and Premier League trophies.

The Hoops have lost a number of players in the off season but John Boyle has joined from Carew Park.

Pike will have home advantage tomorrow night when Aisling Annacotty visit the Pike Rovers Sportsgrounds.

Aisling will have to wait until round three on Thursday August 25 for their first home game on their new Astro-turf facility when Corbally Utd are visitors.

The main challengers in the Premier League were Fairview Rangers.

The return of Colm Heffernan and Brian Buckley is a major boost to the Blues, who are away to Star Rovers on Thursday night.

It will be a big night for Premier League newcomers Summerville Rovers and Wembley Rovers.

Summerville are away to Carew Park, while Wembley visit Pearse Stadium to play Janesboro.

Elsewhere, last season’s third placed Regional Utd are away to Ballynanty Rovers, while Corbally Utd travel to the south of the county to play Kilmallock.

There will be little rest for all, with round two scheduled for Sunday.

Wednesday, August 17

(All games kick-off 6.30pm)

O’Neills Soccer U-19 Division 1

Geraldines V Mungret Reg; Pike Rvs V Aisling Annacotty; Ballynanty Rvs V Shelbourne; Regional Utd V Fairview Rgs

O’Neills Soccer U-19 Division 2

Cappamore V Corbally Utd; Murroe V Holycross; Meanus V Shannon Hibs; Summerville V Prospect Priory

Thursday, AugUST 18

(All games kick-off 6.30pm)

KBO Premier League

Pike Rvs V Aisling Annacotty; Ballynanty Rvs V Regional Utd; Carew Park V Summerville Rvs; Janesboro V Wembley Rvs; Kilmallock V Corbally Utd; Star Rvs V Fairview Rgs

O’Neills Soccer League Div 1A

Caherconlish A V Granville; Shannon Town V Geraldines; Croom V Fairview B; Ballynanty V Caherdavin; Mungret Regional V Charleville; Shannon Hibs v Pike Rovers B

O’Neills Soccer League Div 1B

Prospect Priory V Janesboro B; Knockainey V Bruff United; Cappamore V Dromore Celtic; Shelbourne A V Kennedy Park; Murroe A V Hospital; Athlunkard Villa V Moyross