All-Limerick Munster Shield final centre stage in District League action

ON Saturday evening, the inaugural Munster Shield final will be contested in Jackman Park between Limerick sides, Aisling Annacotty D and Ballynanty Rovers B.

The decision by the provincial body to create a new competition for teams outside the top two divisions in the respective leagues has proven very popular across the province.

No longer just fodder for the bigger clubs, these sides now had a more balanced pool, and the competition has produced some cracking ties.

Saturday's tie promises more of the same. Ryan Harris’ Aisling D side lead the way in Division 1B while Balla B are top of the table in Division 2B.

Despite plying their trade two divisions than their rivals, Ballynanty will have no inferiority complex going into the tie.

Both teams have a number of players well capable of playing Premier League football but have opted for life in the slower lane.
Jason Lipper was one of the top striker for Aisling A when circumstances saw him drop to the D team. He has lost none of his smarts in front of goal.

Likewise, Ballynanty have Jamie O’Sullivan in their line out. After a trophy laden career, the Balla wide man is now enjoying the less stressful life in Div 2B. The experience these players have of the big occasion will be crucial to their respective sides.

This should be a very exciting tie that is sure to attract at big crowd. It has a 6.30 kick off.

The midweek action on Thursday evening sees the Premier League’s top two, Pike Rvs and Aisling Annacotty on the road in their respective games.

Pike Rvs make the short trip to take on Carew Park, smarting from their FAI exit on Sunday. With the League now their only focus, Robbie Williams will be hoping his side bounce back immediately to keep their one-point advantage.

We have seen nothing from Carew Park over the last number of weeks that suggests they could topple the Hoops, but they should not be taken for granted. With a full side out, they could make life difficult.

That said, a hurting Pike XI should make it an uncomfortable evening for the home side.

Just a point behind, Aisling Annacotty will be looking, at a minimum, to keep pace with the leaders
when they visit Mungret Regional.

Mungret are quite capable of causing an upset so Aisling should be wary. John Lysaght’s men have been quietly going about their business and will be determined not to slip up here.

The remaining game in the Premier League could well settle the question of relegation. With Charleville's fate as good as sealed, Coonagh lie precariously in the danger zone.

Geraldines have a seven-point lead on Coonagh and you feel anything other than a Coonagh win would make the job of survival too big an ask.

With neither side on a great run of form this could well take on a cup game atmosphere where the winner takes all.

In the Premier A League the top game is the local derby between Hyde Rgs A and Janesboro. ‘Boro look set for a quick return to the top flight, most likely as champions as they have games in hand on leaders Kilmallock. The game v Hyde is one of those games so a victory would make them unbackable favourites.