Weekend focus switches back to Limerick District League top division
It’s a big weekend of league action across all divisions of the Limerick & District League
THE RACE for honours in the Limerick District League Premier League continues this weekend with several important fixtures, although leaders Fairview Rangers and second-placed Aisling Annacotty are both without league action.
That gives the chasing sides an opportunity to close the gap, with Geraldines and Janesboro particularly well placed to take advantage.
The weekend gets underway on Saturday evening when Janesboro welcomes Ballynanty Rovers at 7pm.
Janesboro currently occupies fourth place on 14 points and will be confident after their impressive 3-0 Munster Junior Cup when the sides met last Sunday.
Balla will be anxious to put that disappointment behind them, but Janesboro will know that another three points would strengthen their challenge near the top.
Sunday's programme opens with an attractive meeting between Geraldines and Pike Rovers. The Dines have moved onto 17 points following their convincing 4-1 win over Mungret Regional last weekend and are now just one point behind Aisling, although they have played an additional game.
Pike are fifth on 11 points and will arrive in a confident mood after defeating Nenagh AFC 2-1 in the Munster Junior Cup. The Hoops showed plenty of character to recover from a goal down, with Ethan Joyce and Dylan Murphy scoring late to secure their passage.
At the bottom end of the table, Moyross United entertain Regional United, with both sides looking for valuable points. Moyross are still searching for their first league win, while Regional will want to improve on their current return of six points.
Kilmallock against Nenagh AFC completes the Premier League programme. Nenagh suffered a late cup defeat to Pike, while Kilmallock will see this as an opportunity to improve their position.
There are two particularly significant fixtures in Premier A, where leaders Corbally United face Regional United B and second-placed Hyde Rangers meet Caherdavin Celtic. A victory for Caherdavin would see them move above Hyde, making this a particularly important encounter in the promotion race.
Division 1A leaders Pike Rovers B entertain Pallas United, while Ballynanty Rovers B take on Cappamore in Saturday's evening fixture. Balla are third on 16 points and Cappamore fourth on 14, making their meeting an important contest in the chase for promotion.
Division 1B leaders Aisling Annacotty D face Brazuca United, knowing a win would strengthen their position at the summit. While in Division 2A, second-placed Lough Derg travel to Croom United, who will be looking to close the gap on the leading sides.
Division 2B provides an attractive contest between Prospect Priory B and Shelbourne B, with Shelbourne currently second behind unbeaten Newport.
Northside Legacy will look to protect their Division 3A lead when they travel to Castle United. Parkville B and Pike Rovers C remain close, so there is little room for the leaders to slip up.