Disappointment for Limerick's Pike Rovers in Munster Junior Cup final

PIKE Rovers 2024/25 Munster Junior Cup aspirations fell at the final hurdle in disappointing fashion on Sunday when they were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Coachford at Turners Cross on Sunday afternoon.

The Limerick District League side never got their game going and once they fell behind after eight minutes, rarely threatened the opposition goal.

Coachford, trying to win the competition for the first time, were more pumped up for the tie and seemed to have the legs of a tired looking Pike side.

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Pike again opted for three at the back but all too often, the extra men in midfield that this system allows, were not up in support of Dylan Murphy who had no chance against at times three defenders.

Coachford took the lead on eight minutes when Cialan O’Sullivan gathered on hallway and was allowed too much time from which he picked out team mate Luke Casey to scores from close range.

Despite being a goal down, Pike did not push the game opting to hold possession, although not in any threatening positions.

The home side doubled their lead on the half hour mark when Gary Neville pushed away Matt Bradley’s cross but only as far as Jamie Griffin whose shot was blocked on the line by Eddie O’Donovan. However, the rebound fell to Evan O’Sullivan who blasted in from close range. Pike made a raft of chances at the break and for a period got the upper hand.

Colin Daly and Eoin Harahan had half chances but didn’t test keeper Stephen Murray.

Coachford made it 3-0 with a quick breakaway from a Pike attack. Casey raced onto a clearance by Linzell and outpaced the Pike defence to shoot past Neville.

It was another clearance that saw Coachford breakaway and Griffin tempted Neville from his line before teeing up Casey with a simple task to complete his hat-trick.

Neville was injured in that action which saw him hobble out of the action, summing up what was a miserable afternoon for the Hoops.

Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Adam Lipper; Pat Mullins; Eddie O'Donovan; Seamus Carroll; Shane Walsh; Kyle Duhig; Colin Daly; Mike Morrissey; Dylan Murphy; Dylan Kelly-Higgins, Subs: Robbie Williams; Eoin Hanrahan; Scott Kirwin; Eoin Duff; Daniel Doyle