FOR the first time since the beginning of the season last week, there are a full set of fixtures to take place in the Limerick District League Premier Division on Thursday evening.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 related restrictions, all games will take place behind close doors and clubs are asking supporters to abide by these conditions during these frustrating times. All games will begin at 6.30.
Pike Rovers vs Ballynanty Rovers (Crosagalla): In the biggest game of the night on paper, Pike Rovers entertain Ballynanty Rovers at Crosagalla. Last season Pike got the better of their northside rivals on two occasions: once in the FAI Junior Cup in a 0-2 victory and the other in a 2-3 victory in the league.
Both sides have had comprehensive victories to begin the campaign with Pike defeating Prospect 4-0 on the opening night and Dave Dunphy’s Ballynanty beating Coonagh 7-1.
Balla followed that up with a 5-1 dismantling of Geraldines at LIT last Sunday. As expected, Connor Ellis has managed to pick up 5 goals in the first 2 games and looks set to be an unstoppable force at this level once again.
Pike Rovers will be streaming the game live online on mycujoo to allow those unable to attend to view the crunch clash between two title hopefuls.
Regional United vs Fairview Rangers (Dooradoyle): Regional United will be hoping to finally kick-off their campaign at the third time of asking when they welcome FAI Junior Cup finalists Fairview Rangers to Dooradoyle. The club have been deeply frustrated by recent events which led to the postponement of their opening two fixtures against Janesboro and Prospect Priory.
Firstly, Janesboro stated that they had concerns in relation to a positive Covid-19 case at Regional but the club were adamant that the person in question had not been at the club grounds for over 2 weeks. The late decision to cancel the fixture and to leave Regional standing at the gates of Pearse Stadium was equally as baffling.
On Sunday, the Dooradoyle club were once again left standing at the gates of Prospect Priory along with referee John McNamara who was due to inspect the pitch. Prospect had contacted the LDMC prior to the game to inform them that the pitch was unplayable but were instructed to allow the decision to be made by the referee.
Either way, it will be an exceptionally tough game for Tom O’Connell’s men against the Munster and FAI Junior Cup champions. They will be at a disadvantage with Jason Purcell’s charges playing three competitive fixtures of high intensity in recent weeks.
Fairview welcome Sean McSweeney and Alan Murphy to their ranks but only Murphy will be available as McSweeney is currently with Crumlin who are finishing their 2019/2020 season in Dublin
Aisling Annacotty vs Kilmallock (Annacotty): Aisling Annacotty will be looking to continue a fantastic two weeks for the club when they entertain a struggling Kilmallock at Annacotty. A late Aaron Murphy goal secured a hard-fought win against Nenagh last weekend in their opening tie.
Kilmallock are enduring a tough start following defeats to Nenagh and Coonagh but are once again awaiting the return of some key players who will return once the hurling season ends. Manager Niall O’Riordan will be hoping that they will not leave themselves a mountain to climb for when that time arrives.
Geraldines vs Coonagh: (Garryowen Green): Geraldines AFC play their first home game of the season against Coonagh as both sides enter the game off the back of differing results. Geraldines were heavily defeated 5-1 against Ballynanty.
Danny O’Neill will be a big loss for the Garryowen club this season, but the majority of last year’s squad remains intact. Coonagh earned a massive three points against supposed bottom six rivals Kilmallock. Brion O’Moriarty has made a bright start to the campaign with three goals in two games.
Janesboro vs Nenagh AFC (Pearse Stadium): Nenagh travel to Pearse Stadium to take on a new look Janesboro outfit. Janesboro drew 4-4 away to Mungret last weekend but showed great character to rescue the draw after being reduced to ten men with the sending off of debutant Jack Fitzgerald. Janesboro are full of ex-Premier A players who will be looking to make an impression at Premier level and will be led by experienced duo Thomas Lyons and Donie Curtin.
Prospect Priory vs Mungret Regional (Priory Park): Prospect Priory welcome Mungret Regional to Hyde Road hoping to gain their first competitive win under new player-manager Wayne Colbert. Prospect couldn’t have asked for a tougher start away to Colbert’s former club Pike Rovers last week and were on the wrong end of a 4-0 result.
Colbert has brought in a raft of new players including Kevin Barry, Jason and Jack Cross and Jason Mullins as well as retaining the majority of last season’s squad.
Mungret will be operating with much the same squad that finished in 7th place last season but have managed to secure the services of two sets of brothers in Aaron and Kieran Long from Fairview B and Declan and Evan Cusack.
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