Limerick's Pike Rovers target Munster Junior Cup final glory

THERE is Munster glory on offer for two Limerick sides this weekend.

Pike Rvs will take on Coachford United in the Munster Junior Cup final on Sunday afternoon at Turners Cross in Cork, 2pm.

The Cork side have been favoured with home advantage but the experience in the Pike camp will see that as only a slight disadvantage.

READ MORE: Munster Rugby face big battle to secure URC play-off place

Pike’s recent form has been a bit mixed so they may need a full reset going into Sunday’s tie.

A 5-1 defeat to Fairview was followed up by dropped points to Regional United.
They got back on track last Sunday with a 3-0 win over Newport.

On their day the Hoops are capable of beating any team in the country. They are packed full of International players and have plenty of experience of the big occasion.

Coachford on the other hand have never been in a Munster final and it’s up to Pike to make sure they are not allowed to settle into the game.

Pike Rovers path to the final reads as follows:
A v Regional Utd W 2-0 (Colin Daly 2)
H v Ballynanty Rovers W 2-0 (Dylan Murphy, Vojtech Ptacek)
H v De La Salle W 4-0 (Seamus Carroll, Adam Lipper, Eddie O'Donovan, Shane Walsh)
A v Killarney Athletic w 0-0 (Pens)
H v Portlaw (Colin Daly)
A v Peake Villa W 2-0 (Colin Daly, Leon Kirrane)

On Saturday Herbertstown travel to Tramore to play in the final of the Munster Shield.

Only in it’s second season, the tournament has proven a big hit with the clubs in the lower divisions.

Ballynanty Rvs B won the inaugural event and hopes are high we can keep the trophy on Shannonside.

Tramore beat Star Rvs in the semi-final so ‘Town will be well briefed prior to kick off.

Herbertstown have a superb side and a 4-0 win over Croom last Sunday to secure promotion gives them the ideal preparation.

Herbertstown’s path to the final reads as follows:
H v Corbally Utd C W (Forfeit)
A v Murroe B W 9-0 (Oisin O'Grady 6, Mike Bob Ryan, Harry Fox, Dan Holten)
A v Los Zarcos W 5-1 Kevin Meade (2) Oisin O'Grady (2), Mike Bob Ryan,
H v Granville Rgs W 2-1 (Bradley McNamara, Mike Bob Ryan)
H v Shelbourne W 3-2 (Dan Holten, Tim O'Keeffe, Mike Bob Ryan)
A v Slievenamon W 2-0 (Kevin Meade, Kieran McCarthy)

Form suggested the Premier League would be decided on Thursday when Fairview Rgs host Ballynanty Rvs. However, a 1-1 draw with Nenagh on Sunday the Blues must beat Balla and take something from either of their final two games.

With nothing to lose Balla could make it a nervy morning but you feel Fairview will have ironed out some of last weekend’s mistakes.

On Sunday the relegation issue will be solved if Geraldines can beat Nenagh AFC or id Newport don’t win at Mungret Reg.
There are two cup finals this week in Jackman Park.

On Wednesday evening the Under 17 Premier Cup Final will see Holycross take on Fairview and two days later the Under 17 Div 1 Cup final pits Pike Rvs B against Aisling.

One other game of note is the final game in Div 2B League where the top two sides, locked together, Moyross B and Herbertstown B battle it out with any winner declared league champion.