THERE is a glamour local FAI Junior Cup quarter-final today when Regional United entertain Pike Rovers (kick-off 2.30pm).
Regional and Pike, now outright leaders in the Premier League, are the last remaining Limerick teams in the blue riband of junior soccer competition, with the winners assured home advantage in the last four against either outright favourites Cockhill Celtic (Donegal) or Tipperary’s Clonmel Celtic.
Elsewhere at the weekend, Villa FC (Waterford) entertain St Michael’s FC of Tipperary and Peake Villa FC (Tipperary) are home to Wexford’s Gorey Rangers.
Holders Newmarket Celtic of Clare have exited the Cup.
Pike, finalists back in 2022 (lost 1-0 to Villa FC at Turners Cross, Cork), are fancied to come through this weekend but are likely to face a stern test from Regional.
In their last 16 fixture, Robbie Williams-managed Pike were hugely impressive in their 6-0 home demolition of Ballymun United (Dublin). As ever, Colin Daly was among the stand-out players for the winners, with a couple of cracking goals, while Shane Walsh was another who caught the eye with a fine showing around the middle of the park.
On the same afternoon, Seán Russell’s Regional were 3-0 ahead at Trim Celtic but eventually only scarped through 4-3 after exra time. It was an outing in which the visiting goalkeeper was dismissed and the winner arrived from the talented Donal O’Connell.
Pike Rovers: Gary Neville, Danny O’Neill, Seán Madigan, Adam Lipper, Robbie Williams, Colm Walsh O’Loghlen, Steven Bradley, Shane Walsh, Conor Coughlan, Shane Clarke, Colin Daly, Dylan Murphy, Eddie O’Donovan, Eoin Hanrahan, Derek Daly, Darragh Hughes.
Regional United: Rob Shier, Tom Frawley, Joey Rushe, David Cowpar, Eduardo Almeida, Shane Carmody, Brian O’Connor, Ewan O’Brien, Eoin Duff, Kieran O’Connell, Oleg Vysochan, Vinny Browne, Donal O’Connell, Ruairi Casserley, Andrew Cowpar, Andy Quaid, Pat McDonagh, Joe Lavan.
The semi-finals are listed for weekend of April 7, with the final to take place later that month.
