Munster Junior Cup final tops bill in busy Limerick District League weekend schedule

ALL roads head to Jackman Park on Saturday evening when Regional United carry Limerick hopes into the Munster Junior Cup final versus the mighty Newmarket Celtic.

The Clare side are fresh from their celebrations on winning the FAI Junior Cup for the first time when they defeated St Michaels in Jackman Park just over a week ago.

Regional are the surprise packet in the decider but well worth their place after a number of victorie4s over high profile opposition.

The Dooradoyle club have been flirting with the latter stages of the provincial tournament over the last number of years and now have the chance to get their name on the famous trophy.

It will be the second time the sides meet this season as they already crossed swords in the FAI Junior Cup back in February when Celtic triumphed 1-0 after extra time.

With victories over Ballynanty Rvs (1-0) in the FAI and Fairview Rgs (1-0) in the Munster Junior, the Clare side will not be overawed by ceding home advantage against Limerick opposition.

Regional will know well what they face but as they have shown this year, they seem to enjoy the underdog tag and will not be overawed. They matched their opponents in all sectors in their FAI game and will have their homework done.

Manager Sean Russell, a relative newcomer to the management side has assembled a tight outfit and has them playing superbly.

My beef with Regional earlier in the season was their insistence on playing unnecessary keep ball across their back line when they possessed one of the speediest attacks, crying out for quick ball.

However, they showed against Ballynanty in the semi final, they are well capable of changing tack to good effect.

It is obvious that the big question when facing Celtic is the ability to contain their international striker Eoin Hayes. They kept him relatively quiet when they last played but the Clare man is a class act and Regional will have no illusions about the threat he poses.

That said, Regional have an Eoin of their own! Striker Eoin Duff is the top scorer in the Premier League with 30 goals. His hat trick against reigning FAI Champions Villa FC, displayed a masterclass of finishing against top opposition and a brace against Ballynanty Rvs brought his tally to 12 in seven games so far in the competition.

Providing much of the ammo for the front man, Kieran O’Connell is the vital link for the Dooradoyle club. He has given sterling service to United, and an MFA medal would be a fitting reward.

The addition of Eduardo Almeida has bolstered their defence but their long serving full back Tommy Frawley has been a revelation this season and if the side can replicate his appetite and determination, they have a great chance.

With no competing fixtures locally and Celtic’s large travelling band, you can expect a huge crowd in Jackman Park. The game has a 5pm kick off. 

Paths to the final:

Regional United

Rd 1. H v Pike B                 W 8-0 (Andrew Cowpar 3, Eoin Duff 2, Connor Finn, Hugo O’hAnluain, Joe Lavan)

Rd 2. A v Athlunkard       W 3-1 (Eoin Duff, Andrew Cowpar, Pat McDonagh)

Rd 3. A v Janesboro         W 3-2 (Eoin Duff 2, Ewan O'Brien)

Rd 4. H v Blarney              W 3-0 (Brian O'Connor, Kieran O'Connell, Ruairi Casserley)

Rd 5. H v Villa FC               W 3-0 (Eoin Duff 3)

Q-F. H v Avondale            W 4-0 (Eoin Duff 2, Andrew Cowpar, Kieran O'Connell)

S-F. H v Ballynanty           W 4-2 (Eoin Duff 2, Eduardo Almeida, Filip Mostowy)         

Newmarket Celtic:

Rd 1. A v Shannon Hibs B W 14-0, Rd 2. A v Fairgreen Celtic W 3-0, Rd 3. H v Avenue Utd W2-1, Rd 4. H v Killavilla W 5-1, Rd 5. H v Shannon Town W 5-1, Q-F. A v Ferrybank W 3-1, S-F. A v Fairview W 1-0         

On Sunday morning the Div 1A O’Halloran Cup Final sees Star Rvs and Ballylanders battling it out for honours.

Sunday morning also sees the Div 2B Play Off between Herbertstown and Croom Utd.

The two sides met in the divisional cup last weekend when a thrilling 4-3 game saw Croom crowned champions. Herbertstown are keen for revenge in this one.

One game on Thursday evening has a big bearing on Premier League. Fairview, sitting a point behind Pike Rvs, face a tricky assignment away to Ballynanty Rvs in their penultimate game where anything but a win would be a disaster for Rangers.