All-Limerick FAI Junior Cup quarter-final centre stage in District League fixtures

THE big game of the weekend is the all-Limerick clash in the quarter finals of the FAI Junior Cup when Regional Utd host Pike Rvs in Dooradoyle at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a pity that we lose one of the two remaining sides at this stage of the competition but on the flip side we are guaranteed a Limerick side in the semi final and favoured with a home tie, hopes are high of returning the trophy Shannonside.

The sides have met three times already this season. In September Pike won their league game 2-0.

A month later Regional toppled the Hoops in the Munster Junior Cup and on the third occasion in January penalties were needed to separate the sides before Regional progressed.

So, both sides will be aware going into the tie that there is nothing to choose between the sides.

Last weekend Pike defeated Charleville in a game that was halted due to injury.

Regional were beaten on penalties by Aisling in the Tuohy Cup semi final but they did show plenty of bottle to fight back to bring the game to a shootout.

Both teams have impressive clean sheet record so much will depend on the performance of the relevant strikers.

Shane Clarke is back to the type of form that has terrorised defenses all over the country while Eoin Duff, last season’s top scorer in the Premier League has hit a rich vein with seven goals in his last four outings.

It could well boil down to which of the defences have of the best day.

Aisling Annacotty have home advantage in their quest to reach the final of the Munster Youth Cup. Standing in their way are the mighty College Corinthians but the Limerick side will not be bowed.

They also have a cracking squad of players, many with Premier League action under their belt and are well capable of going all the way. What a pity the game clashes with the big FAI game in Dooradoyle.