FAI Junior Cup is centre stage for Limerick District League clubs

THE FAI Junior Cup is down to the quarter-final stage and this weekend sees Limerick’s remaining hopes, Janesboro and Fairview Rgs on the road.

On Saturday ‘Boro travel to the Capital to take on Lucan United. Playing their trade in the Leinster Senior League, Lucan’s juniors gave notice of their ability by capturing the Leinster Junior Cup last season.

They beat a good Old County side 3-2 to set up Sunday’s encounter. Janesboro lost for the first time last Sunday when a couple of goals inside ten minutes saw Peake Ville win 2-0 at Pearse Stadium in the MFA Cup.

Mike Aherne and Paul Burke will work on getting the proper response to that setback.

FAI Junior Cup record holders, Fairview Rangers face a daunting journey to Donegal on Sunday to take on current champions Fanad Utd.

Fairview Rgs will get nothing easy against a very strong home side but Mike Shiel and Paul O'Donnell will have their side well prepared for the clash.

They bounced back from a Tuohy Cup defeat to Aisling by beating Hyde Rgs 2-1 last Sunday.

Hopes are high that we could have two Limerick sides in the last four but it will be a tall ask.

The Lawson Cup continues apace with six games on offer at the weekend. A number of Premier sides face tricky assignments and will be relieved if they can get past these challenges.

A bang in-form Corbally Utd welcome Premier side Nenagh AFC, relishing the chance to test their progression against a top flight club.

Likewise Hyde Rgs face a daunting task away to Herbertstown. The county side are leading the way in Division 1B but in truth are more likely a Premier or Premier A squad.

Aisling Annacotty will not relish the trip to play Caherdavin Celtic in LIT Astro. Celtic have taken many Premier scalps over the last few seasons so Aisling need to be on guard.

Ballylanders welcome Regional Utd and Mungret Reg will hope to bounce back to winning ways when they host Granville Rgs on Sunday while the previous evening Ballynanty Rovers welcome Cappamore to LIT.

In the Premier League, Pike Rvs will be hoping to reduce the gap on leaders Fairview Rgs when they visit Geraldines.

Pike Rvs will be on a high after their MFA win over Portlaw last Sunday. 'Dines have strengthened their squad significantly and will be hoping for an upset.

The bottom two sides meet when Carew Park host Newport and you feel it's a must win for both sides.

The Division 1A promotion race is turning into an exciting one. Leaders Moyross welcome Holycross while second places Star Rvs travel to draw specialists Aisling Annacotty D.

Pallas are still in the hunt but they need to take the points on offer when they visit Caherconlish.

The Open Cup has four games scheduled with the pick of the bunch looking like Holycross B v Moyross B. Abbey Rvs v Athlunkard C, Murroe B v Ballynanty Rvs B and Newport C v Fairview Rgs C completes the lineup.

While there is no midweek action this week, on Friday evening the Youth Interprovincial tournament kicks off and will continue over the weekend.

Two Limerick players, Aaron Cusack and Ethan Joyce of Pike Rvs will be part of the Munster side who kick off their campaign in a clash with Leinster on Friday in Jackman Park.

Munster play Ulster at 1pm in the Pike Club on Saturday and complete their campaign against Connaught at 11.00am in Jackman Park on Sunday.