Fairview Rangers chase All-Island Presidents Cup final glory on busy weekend for District League sides

FAIRVIEW Rangers will be vying for their second trophy of the season when they take on their Northern Ireland counterparts in the final of the IFA/FAI All-Island Presidents Cup final on Saturday afternoon.

Derry side Ardmore will provide the opposition in the Showgrounds, Sligo.

Fairview will be looking to add their name to the honours list for the second time having won the trophy in 2021.

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Little is known of the opposition although they have begun their season with back-to-back so will not be lacking confidence.

The Blues go into the tie in superb form. Their pre-season action in the FAI Cup has given the champions an edge that the opposition are struggling to match at this stage of the season.

The return to action of Darragh Rainsford is a huge boost to the Champions and Oleg Vysochan also is on a fine scoring run. At the other end Tomas O’Connor is another shrewd signing by a shrewd management team.

The Premier League has a curtailed programme although the clash of Pike Rovers and Ballynanty Rovers in Crossagalla means one if not two of the remaining 100% records will tumble on Sunday.

Fairview have opened up a six-point lead, albeit with two extra games played. Balla and Pike, even at this early stage of the season, look like the only two viable candidates to challenge the champions, so Sunday’s game is sure to be a cracker.

Pike saw a big exodus of players over the summer but have looked fine and steady to date as they regroup. Dylan Murphy is in good form up front with five goals from three games while the return of Joe Murphy to the club gives them an energetic option in the middle of the park.

Balla, celebrating their fabulous new facilities, have responded on the field with three wins from three. They are embedding a number of new signings, most of which look right at home in Ballynanty Park. Prolific striker Vinny Ryan, has picked up from where he left off with Pallas United and at the other end Alex Kiely strengthens the defensive line.

With so much at stake, a draw would be a likely outcome.

Regional Utd were awesome last weekend hitting Athlunkard for eight and they welcome bottom side Hyde Rangers on Saturday evening.

The other game in the Premier League sees Nenagh hosting Janesboro on Sunday morning.

Boro come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Mungret while Nenagh will be looking to bounce back from a home defeat to Geraldines.

The Munster Junior Cup kicks off this weekend with three first round games up for decision. Premier newcomers Athlunkard Villa A host Premier A joint leaders Carew Limerick Utd at Lee Estate.

Villa carry the unenviable favourites tag against a Carew XI with nothing to lose so care should be taken.

Fellow Premier A joint leaders Newport Town host Moyross Utd A while in-form Kilmallock Utd welcome Summerville Rovers to the county venue.

The popular Munster Junior Shield kicks off with a number of local sides holding genuine hopes to emulate Balla B and Herbertstown as previous winners.

Ballynanty Rvs B, as inaugural winners, know the joy of success so will be keen to repeat thjeir success. They kick off with a trip to Dromore Celtic.
Granville Rangers, a side chock full of former Premier league players, will be a fancy for many people and they are favourites to advance at Murroe B.

Aisling Annacotty D former runners up in the tournament start at Holycross B while Pike Rovers B look a strong side as they kick off at home to Glenview Rvs .

The experienced Mungret Regional C welcome a very good Murroe A side who could well go far in the competition. Likewise Shelbourne A who begin at Athlunkard Villa B.

In the Premier A league top game sees Star Rvs welcome Regional Utd B to Lee Estate. Charleville will be fancied to win at Southend while Aisling B will be looking to climb the table when they meet Caherdavin Celtic.

In the Munster Youth Cup there is a full programme with the clash of Caherconlish and Aisling Annacotty A looking most interesting.

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