Limerick's Fairview Rangers target 10th FAI Junior Cup final success

FAIRVIEW Rangers are on the road this Saturday to Turners Cross where they will meet North End United in the final of the 2024/25 FAI Junior Cup, 3pm kick-off.

Fairview will be going for their tenth success at the national level having already etched their name on the trophy in 1964/65, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2009/10 and 2019/20.

To win such a coveted trophy ten times would be an incredible achievement for any club although I have no doubt Mike Sheil and Paul O’Donnell will ensure the idea of records are firmly put aside until the job at hand in completed.

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The Blues come into the tie on a high. Having annexed the Premier League for the first time in 23 years, they followed up last weekend with a 4-0 win over Dublin outfit Baldoyle in the FAI Senior Cup.

The Limerick side were dealt a blow recently with an injury to the talismanic Darragh Rainsford but the recent form of his team mates have negated the somewhat the effect of such a loss.

Captain, Shane Duggan and Jeffery Judge has been superb all season and the Blues will need their experience to pull a number of the younger lads through the occasion.

Likewise, former FAI winner, Conor Kavanagh while Gbadebo Habideen shows no fear, regardless of the opposition, and he is sure to cause North End problems on Saturday.

The Wexford side also come into the tie on a high. On Sunday they beat Gorey 1-0 to capture the Premier League.  They have had some success over Limerick sides over the last couple of seasons so they will not fear the occasion.

Fairview will need to pull out one of their better displays of the season. They were unbeatable when disposing of Pike Rvs in their crucial league game but followed up with a couple of “iffy” displays.

There is plenty of incentive to ensure we see the former this time out.

As usual on such occasions, there will be a large number of Limerick supporters travelling, and hopefully they can cheer the Limerick side to success.

On Thursday evening, the Division 1B Cup Final pairs Newport and Shelbourne.

Shelbourne already celebrating promotion from the division, will take the field as favourites having already beaten the Tipperary side twice in league action.

However, Shels are smart enough to know that favourites tag means nothing come kick off and they will be made earn any victory against a dogged Newport XI.

On Friday evening, Pike Rvs look to get over the disappointment of their Munster defeat last weekend when the take on Corbally Utd in the final of the Youth Premier Cup.

The Hoops will be strong favourites having put 12 goals past Corbally in their two outings this season.

That said, Corbally come into the tie unbeaten in six and with nothing to lose they will be hoping they can cause an upset.

On Sunday morning, the Lipper Cup final is scheduled for 10.30 when Ballynanty Rvs B will take on Coonagh Utd. With the League and Open Cup already on board, Richie O’Neill’s men will be looking to keep their winning streak going.

Coonagh United will be looking to the fact that they held Balla to a 3-3 draw in their earlier meeting and with a talented squad, think they can upset the odds in the Cup final.