Limerick's Pike Rovers target FAI Youth Cup final glory

PIKE Rovers carry the hopes of Limerick soccer into the FAI Youth Cup final on Saturday afternoon when they will meet famous Dublin outfit, St Kevins Boys.

Pike will be attempting to win the competition for the second time having been the first Limerick side to win the competition in 1950.

Limerick’s return from the competition has been dismal in it’s 89 years with only Ballynanty Rvs and Fairview Rangers also adding their name to the list of winners. Pike and Balla were also runners up as were Wembley and Aisling Annacotty.

With a large travelling band behind them, hopes are high that we can add another title this weekend.

Pike Rvs are in a battle royale with Aisling Annacotty for the Youth Division One Leage title while the Hoops already have the Ger Ryan Cup in the trophy cabinet after a 2-1 win over Regional Utd in recent weeks.

Their opponents on Saturday, St Kevins Boys, currently lie in midtable in the AUL Youth Premier League.

Their current form has been indifferent including a defeat to Peamount, who Pike defeated in the semi-finals.

Pike have a hugely talented squad with a solid spine through the side. Goalkeeper Mariusz Palen has already proven his worth to the side and he will be a crucial performer for the Hoops.

Captain, Keelan Corbett leads by example and is part of a mean back four.

Up front, Shane Franklin is terrorising defences locally and is proven to raise his game for the big occasion and the Hoops will be hoping he carries that trait into Saturday's mammoth Cup decider.

Path to the Final:

Round 1 (H) v Lough Derg W 9-5
Scorers: Kaden Deegan Herlihy (2), Aaron Cusack (2), Shane Franklin (2), Keelan Corbett, Dara McNamara, Cian Punch

Round 2 v (A) v Fairview Rgs W 3-2
Scorers: Dara McNamara, Shane Franklin, Aaron Cusack

Round 3 (A) v St Brendan’s Park W 3-2
Scorers: Shane Franklin, Aaron Cusack, Shane Franklin

Round 4 (H) v Aisling Annacotty W 2-1
Scorers: Kaden Deegan Herlihy, Aaron Cusack

Quarter-Final (A) v Cashel Town W 2-1
Scorers: Shane Franklin, Keelan Corbett

SEMI-Final (A) v Peamount W 1 - 1 (11-10 Pens)
Scorer: Shane Franklin