Munster Junior Cup and Shield action tops bill of fare for Limerick District League clubs

FOCUS this weekend for Limerick District League clubs is on Munster Junior Cup and Munster Junior Shield when we will find out the teams to represent the league in the open stages of the competitions.

There are some cracking ties on offer all across town and county with many games too tight to call.

In the Munster Junior Cup on Saturday evening, 2020 winners Aisling Annacotty A host 2022 winners Fairview Rangers in Annacotty at 6.30pm.

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Fairview are in superb form and lead the way in table as they try to retain their crown as League champions. Like all good sides they have the ability to eke out wins even when things are not clicking 100%.

A 1-0 win over Geraldines was followed by their only dropped points this season in a 1-1 draw with Ballynanty Rvs. Last Sunday they also had to dig deep to see off Nenagh.

On Saturday they meet a new look Aisling side who, after a miserable start to the season with just one win from five, have since won their last four games, scoring 18 goals in the process. They will get the chance to test that progress on Saturday.

Top game on Sunday sees Pike Rovers A hosting Ballynanty Rovers A in Crossagalla. The Hoops are unbeaten to date but three draws in their opening six games sees them trail Fairview in the table. They were finding goals hard to come by but last weekend they looked back to themselves when they put five past Athlunkard Villa.

Balla have been a breath of fresh air this season. They added shrewdly to their squad in the off season and have been playing very well. They suffered a setback last weekend with the concession of two injury time goals to share the spoils with Geraldines but rest assured they will be back in the right frame of mind for Sunday’s clash.

Mungret Regional host Regional Utd A in a local derby in Mungret. Paul Danaher has done a superb job at Mungret and their defeat to Athlunkard Villa in their last outing was only their second defeat in ten games.

Regional had a poor start to the season but last weekend’s 2-1 win over Janesboro will give them a big boost coming into the tie. We could well see a repeat of the 1-1 draw the sides played out in their league clash in August.

Athlunkard Villa A welcome Nenagh A with both sides relishing the prospect of a prolonged provincial run.

Villa had the misfortune to meet a buoyed Pike Rvs side on Sunday. They put up a good fight before going down 5-1. Likewise, Nenagh made Fairview sweat before the Champions eked out a 2-1 win.

The sides played out a 3-3 draw in their league encounter and I think it may well be equally tight this time around.

Geraldines have been superb in recent outings. They followed up a 4-1 win over Regional United by snatching a last gasp 4-4 draw with Balla last weekend. The experience of Eoin Hanrahan is proving hugely beneficial to a number of talented youngsters in the side. They host surprise packets Aisling Annacotty B who beat Caherdavin 4-1 last weekend. With no expectations on their shoulders, they go into the tie with nothing to lose and ‘Dines would be well advised to treat the tie seriously.

The Munster Junior Shield also co9ntnues with 16 sides battling it out for a place in the open draw of the competition.

Current holders Herbertstown A will be favoured to advance at home to Moyross C while 2024 winners Ballynanty Rovers B face high riding Division 3A side Murroe C.

Coonagh Utd welcome an in-form Abbey Rvs side while Aisling Annacotty D will get nothing easy at home to Herbertstown B.

Patrickswell v Granville A may well be the pick of the ties. A strong Granville side have the ability to go all the way but Patrickswell are never an easy team to brush aside.

Nenagh B welcome Newport Town B in a Tipperary derby, a fancied Murroe A side host Cappamore Celtic while Caherconlish are at home to Shelbourne A.

In the Premier A League, Carew Park beat Kilmallock last Sunday but are still a point behind the county side at the top of the table. One point further back are three teams in what is becoming a crowded leaderboard.

On Sunday Kilmallock have the chance to return to winning ways at a struggling Summerville side.

Carew Limerick Utd welcome one of the joint third placed sides in Star Rovers. A win will keep their title charge intact while a defeat would see Star leapfrog them.

The other two joint third sides meet when Moyross A host Newport Town

In LDL Division 1B, Pike will go top if they take the points on offer at Kilmallock Utd B while in Division 2A, Hyde will take outright lead if they avoid defeat at Moyross Utd B.