LIMERICK junior soccer was rocked on Tuesday night by the shock news that Wembley Rovers, one of the most iconic clubs in the region, pulled out of the Premier League, leaving the club with no representation in the league.
Wembley had won promotion to the top flight last season but the glow of that success has proven to be disappointingly short-lived, and many people from other junior clubs in Limerick have expressed their sorrow at the situation.
Founded in 1934, Wembley won the FAI Minor Cup just seven years later and reached two FAI Junior Cup semi-finals, and one final, in the 1940s.
They won the first three editions of the Lawson Cup from 1952 to 1954 and, in 1980, became the only club in the county to finish first in the top two divisions.
Wembley had been due to play Athlunkard Villa in Round 1 of the FAI Junior Cup, with the draws for the first two rounds being made recently, but it is understood that Villa will now get a bye to Round 2. See below for the draw in full.
FAI Junior Cup – Limerick Round 1
Ballynanty Rovers v Granville Rangers
Round 2
St Paul’s v Charville FC
Dromore Celtic v Knockainey FC
Southend United v Meanus FC
Moyross United v Geraldines AFC
Prospect Priory v Pallas United
Lisnagry FC v Hill Celtic
Nenagh AFC v Hospital Crs
Caherconlish FC v Bruff United
Murroe FC v Kilfinanne Forest
Caherdavin Celtic v Northside Legacy
Carew Park v Castle Rovers FC
Ballynanty Rovers/Granville Rangers v Caledonians FC
Cappamore Celtic v Shelbourne FC
Regional United v Shannon Hibs
Aisling Annacotty v Kilmallock United
Newport Town v Pike Rovers
Athlunkard Villa v Parkvilla FC
Fairview Rangers v Star Rovers
Summerville Rovers v Kennedy Park FC
Hyde Rangers v Croom United
Janesboro FC v Gleview Rovers
Corbally United v St Patrick’s FC
Holycross FC v Abbey Rovers
Mungret Regional v Coonagh United
