Five Limerick clubs face crunch FAI Junior Cup ties this weekend

THIS weekend is a mixed bag in the Limerick District League junior soccer programme with most attention on the FAI Junior Cup as five Limerick sides vie for a place in the last 32 of the competition.

Most attention is on the all-Limerick clash of Fairview Rgs and Regional Utd on Saturday evening.

Record FAI winners Fairview Rgs have recovered admirably from the loss of a number of players and have steadied the ship.

Regional Utd showed last year with their success in the Munster Junior Cup, that are a serious player for National honours this time around.

They are sitting joint top of the table thanks to a last gasp winner against Balla' last weekend to put them in a good frame for Saturday’s tie.

Pike Rvs, once again many people’s favourites for the competition face a sticky assignment when they host Castlebar Celtic. The Mayo side come into the tie full of confidence after a 3-0 win over Galway Hibs in the Connaught Cup last weekend.

For their part Pike beat leaders Aisling Annacotty to go joint top in the Premier League.

They achieved the victory without the services of a host of players so will also be full of confidence, but they also know they need to produce a top-class display to edge out the Westerners.

Charleville, despite having an indifferent start to proceedings in the league, face Dublin side Lucan Utd relishing the chance to keep their run going.

Hyde Rgs have been having a great season to date. They are well in the hunt for promotion and have qualified for the open draw in both MFA and FAI cups.

They went down narrowly to Douglas Hall in Cork two weeks back but followed up last weekend with a good 2-1 win over Aisling in the league.

They travel to Kilkenny this weekend to take on a very strong Evergreen XI.

Hyde Rgs will have their work cut out against one of the best sides in the country.

While giving it their best shot they can learn plenty form the outing. 

There are two Munster Junior Cup scheduled.

Mungret Reg host FAI Champions Newmarket Celtic looking to reach the last 16.

On their day Mungret can be a match for most and that premise will be tested to the max against a superb Celtic combination. 

Newport are in action at fellow Tipperary side Clonmel Celtic. Newport have been in fine form of late and will not fear the task in hand.

Limerick’s Inter County Youth side are fighting for survival in their four-team group. After a draw with Kerry and Cork, a trip to Waterford is a must win tie for Limerick.

There is some serious talent in the Limerick squad but with their fate now out of their own hands, it’s a case of fingers crossed.

Two Limerick sides are in action in the FAI U17 Cup on Saturday afternoon. Aisling travel to Cork to take on a very strong College Corinthians XI while Pike Rvs are favoured with home advantage when they host Old Fort Celtic at 2.00pm

A day later Fairview Rgs make the trip to the capital to meet the Stella Maris.

In the Premier League, Aisling can pull clear of fellow leaders Pike and Regional if they can take something from their trip to Ballynanty Rvs.

Both sides suffered defeat last weekend so there is an urgency to get back to winning ways

At the other end of the table Coonagh Utd are in search of vital points when they host Nenagh AFC on Sunday morning.

In the Premier A League Caherdavin Celtic and joint leaders Janesboro meet in LIT for the second time in just over a week. They previous game was abandoned due to an injury to Janesboro goalkeeper Darren Glasheen. Caherdavin led 1-0 at the time and they will be keen on a repeat performance.

In the lower divisions Star Rvs v Southend is the pick of the bunch in Division 1A while in Div 1B, leaders Lisnagry welcome Parkville.

A cracking game is guaranteed when old rivals Croom Utd and Herbertstown cross swords in Division 2A.

Div 2A leaders Shelbourne travel to Abbey Rvs and Balla B will tale outright lead in Division 2B should they beat Cappamore B.

This week's midweek action is in the Premier A Healy Webb Cup on Thursday evening when Prospect Priory take on Caherdavin Celtic at 6.45 in Jackman Park.