Limerick District League weekend junior soccer preview

THIS week’s action is another mixed bag with the highlight being the FAI Junior Cup 6th round clash of Regional Utd and Newmarket Celtic as they battle it out for a place in the quarter finals of the competition.

Regional had a great win versus Strand Celtic in the last round thanks to Kieran O’Connell’s last minute free kick.

They followed that by taking a point in their game with Pike Rvs last Saturday, again a late O’Connell goal proving crucial.

They will have their hands full on Sunday against a superb Newmarket Celtic XI. The Clare side are second in their Premier League and have yet to taste defeat.

They always show tremendous effort when facing Limerick sides and this weekend will be no different.

Regional can be accused of blowing hot and cold on occasion. When they are good they are a match for anyone and manager Sean Russell must be drilling into the side the need to bring their best to the fray.

The experience of the Cowpar brothers as well as the skills of Brian O’Connor in the middle of the park gives them a platform to build on while Kieran O’Connell can always be counted on as a goal threat along with top scorer Eoin Duff.

The Lawson Cup has thrown up some cracking ties this weekend as the competitors vie for a place in the last 16 of the tournament.  Nenagh AFC cross swords with Pike Rovers again hoping for a better outing than last time. We have spoken before of Nenagh’s improvement, but Pike will be sore after dropping points last weekend which will make them meaner than usual.

Ballynanty Rovers v Fairview Rgs is another mouth watering tie which should draw the biggest crowd to LIT.

With both sides in FAI action the following weekend wit will be interesting to see how the respective clubs treat the game in relation to line ups.

Summerville Rvs and Mungret Reg could well be another interesting affair with the Premier side advised to be on their guard against a rapidly improving Rovers side.

In a very tight Premier A League promotion battle, Fairview Rgs can go top of the table if they win at Athlunkard Villa. However the home side will catapult themselves right back into contention should they take full points. 

Caherdavin Celtic hold second spot in Division 1A but they can leapfrog Summerville to the top of the table should they win at a tricky Kilfrush side

Celtic were very good despite going down to Newport last weekend. They have the look of a side determined to make it a successful season.

A crucial game in Division 1B pits second v first in a season defining match.

Caherconlish lead Mungret by five points at the top of the table and a win on Sunday would see them open up an unassailable eight point lead with just six games to play.

That said, if Mungret Reg can prevail, the title race will be blow side open again.

It’s also first v second in Division 2B when Croom Utd travel to take on second placed Pike Rvs B.

The county side were most unfortunate to exit the Lawson Cup last weekend against Ballynanty Rvs A, going down to a last-minute goal. It’s back to earth this weekend and Pike will be showing no regard for their efforts last weekend. It should be a cracking tie.

Brazuca United lead Ballynanty Rvs B by a single point in Division 3A with four games to play. On Sunday Brazuca host v Lisnagry B and Ballynanty Rvs B welcome Knockainey B.

In the Ger Ryan Cup we have two fixtures. Granville Rgs take on an in-form Newport while

Fairview Rgs will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s FAI defeat when they host Kilfrush.