Pike Rovers and Regional United are through to the last eight of the prized FAI Junior Cup.
Amazingly, the pair have been drawn together in the quarter-final, with Pike to enjoy home advantage. The winners here will entertain either favourites Cockhill Celtic (Donegal) or Clonmel Celtic (Tipperary).
Pike were outstanding in their 6-0 demolition of Ballymun United (Dublin) at UL while Regional advanced after a 4-3 extra-time defeat away to Trim Celtic in Meath.
Talented Colin Daly netted twice for Pike, while the other strikes came through Conor Coughlan, Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen, and Darragh Hughes, while there was also an OG award.
Regional, meanwhile, surrendered an early 3-0 lead and eventually came through in extra time (4-3) with a golden goal from the supremely talented Donal O’Connell. The earlier goals for the Limerick side were through Eduardo Almeida, Eoin Duff, and Kieran O’Connell.
Unfortunately, Regional had goalkeeper Rob Shier dismissed after picking up a couple of yellow cards.
Pike are priced 4/1 to win out the competition, while Regional are available at odds of 10/1.
In the quarter-final of the FAI Youth Cup, Pike Rovers travel to Cashel Town on Saturday at 2pm.
Cockhill Celtic (Donegal) remain favourites.
In the only fixture in the Desmond Premier League, former World Handball Champion Seamus O’Carroll grabbed a brace of goals as Rathkeale emerged 3-1 home winners over Athea United, a result that moves the side into third place behind Creeves Celtic and Newcastle West Town.
