Junior Cup final changed to Cork venue

There is fierce disappointment in local soccer circles with the news that the FAI Junior Cup final fixed for Jackman Park on June 13 has now been rescheduled.
The decider will now be played in Turner’s Cross in Cork a week earlier on Sunday, June 6.
The LDMC had Jackman Park in tip-top shape for last weekend’s FAI Youths Cup final and were looking forward to hosting the centre piece of Irish Junior Soccer.
However a phone call from the FAI this week informed them that last week’s draw for the venue for the final was null and void and with the agreement of both clubs the game has now been switched to the Cork venue.
Fairview Rangers were originally informed that the FAI cup final would be played on June 6 and on that basis a number of their players had holidays planned for the following week.
With this in mind Fairview agreed to the switch and while it is regrettable that Jackman Park will lose the final, the up side is that Fairview will be able to field a full side on the day.
The 2007 Munster Junior Cup winners Pike Rovers host Carrick United in the semi-final of this season’s competition at Jackman Park on Saturday.
The competition has been held up due to the objection against Pike Rovers in the FAI Junior Cup. It was generally believed that once Pike were removed from the national competition that their exit from the provincial competition would follow.
However Munster saw sense and took no further action paving the way for Saturdays’ clash.
With the prominent Waterford side already querying forms we may be heading down the objection road again if the result does not go their way.
Pike Rovers must put all that nonsense out of their heads and focus on the job at hand.
The players have been superb in their attitude in recent weeks and they need to bring the same professional approach into this weekend’s game.
Managers Declan Casey and Declan Considine will be delighted that they enter the game as Premier League champions following last week’s results. A 7-0 win over Regional United wrapped up a three in-a-row of league titles.
Last Sunday Pike beat Regional again (3-1) to qualify for the final of the Lawson Cup while the Hoops have also won the Tuohy Cup.
The Waterford side will be keen to make amends for last season’s decider when they went down 2-0 to Fairview Rangers. Clonmel Town are sitting pretty in the final awaiting the winner.

PAT SHEEHAN