Pike Rovers host Clonmel in last eight of FAI Cup this Sunday

FAI Junior Cup holders Pike Rovers put their title on the line on Sunday afternoon when they host Clonmel Celtic in the quarter finals of the National competition.

It will be the second time in a couple of weeks that the two sides meet as the Tipperary side proved best in their recent Munster Junior Cup tie when a single goal decided the issue.

Pike’s chances of getting back in the groove came to nothing as they struggled to beat Div 1B side Caherconlish in the Lawson Cup last weekend. A last minute Alan Barry goal sealed a 5-4 win over the county minnows.

All too often this season we have highlighted the fact that Pike, despite boasting a superb record of 23 wins in 29 games, have been stumbling through their campaign.

They lack the fluidity they showed last season and Manager Declan Considine must be scratching his head for the reason.

With so many ex Senior players in their books, Pike can at times fall into the trap of trying to play a senior game against Junior opposition.

There are times when a long ball or quick break is the right option despite all the coaching that suggests the ball must be worked up the park.

Last season Pike were frightening when Keith Harnett came powering into the opposition penalty area. His haul of thirty five goals at the end of the season was proof of the value of this tactic.

While Harnett has moved on from Crossagalla, the Hoops have a number of player well capable of filling the void but so far the goals are not as plentiful. Maybe a few of the squad need to throw off the shackles and show the drive needed.

The manager will be aware that they will lose their crown if they cannot produce a better display than in their last two outings.

The Tipperary side have shown they are a well organised side, hard to break down, and now come to the Pike club with nothing to fear.

If Pike can hit top form there is hardly a side in the country who can match them but all too often of late they have been unable to do that.

However come Sunday, you feel somehow Pike will get all the ducks in line to make it through to the semi finals.

The Munster Junior Cup throws up an all Limerick clash when Fairview Rangers host Wembley Rovers at the Fairgreen with a quarter final place on offer for the winners.

Both sides were in Lawson Cup action at the weekend with different results.

Fairview recorded a 2-0 win at home to Corbally but Wembley bowed out of the competition after a penalty shoot out with Regional Utd.

The only meeting between the sides this season resulted in a comprehensive 4-0 win for Fairview back in September.

Since then however Wembley Rvs have improved considerably with John Fitzgerald, an FAI winner with Fairview Rgs playing a big part in that revival.

Fairview have pinned all their hopes on the provincial competition and for that reason should be more focused than their opponents however should they progress they will have earned the right.

Hospital take on Mungret Regional in the outstanding Lawson Cup tie while in the Premier League a vital end of table clash sees Corbally Utd hosting Star Rvs in a virtual six pointer.

League leaders Janesboro can open a whopping 13 point lead at the top of the table if they can, as expected, beat bottom side Summerville Rovers.