Fairview - back in the big time

FAIRVIEW Rangers’ manager Jason Purcell, in just his first season in charge, has guided the ‘View back into the big time.
Before Jackman Park hosted Sunday’s Munster Junior Cup final Fairview had failed to win a major trophy in six seasons and had not appeared in a provincial final since beating Carew Park to win the decider in 2000, but that all changed yesterday when an exceptional performance saw Rangers overcome Carrick United by two goals to nil.
In atrocious weather conditions Christy Doyle scored Fairview’s opening goal in the sixth minute while Colm Heffernan, from the penalty spot, sealed the win with five minutes remaining in normal time.


“It’s great for the lads,” a delighted Jason Purcell told Leader Sport in the wake of Sunday’s final.
“They have put in a massive effort throughout the year and they totally deserved their win today.”
Fairview entered Sunday’s final as underdogs against a Carrick United side who had won the 2008 FAI Junior Cup and beaten Newcastle West and Regional United en route to the final.
Fairview, however, completely out-played the Waterford side and but for the brilliance of Carrick ‘keeper Adrian Walsh Rangers could have humiliated their final opponents.
“I don’t think we let Carrick play,” explained Jason Purcell.
“We pressed them right up the pitch. That was our plan and I think it worked a treat. Christy (Doyle) was a threat all day in behind and so was Rossy (Ross Cosgrave).
“I thought the Carrick United ‘keeper was outstanding,” explained Jason Purcell.
“He made six or seven world class saves today. Thankfully we got the second goal and Colm Heff (Heffernan) tucked it away.”
The depth of talent at Fairview’s disposal forced Jason Purcell to make some tough decisions prior to this final - that fact that a player as talented as Darren Harrington could not force his way in the match day 16 says it all.
“Yeah it’s hard,” said Purcell.
“In fairness there were lads disappointed today, but in fairness they all reacted very well and were very positive towards the rest of the lads who were playing. They are a great bunch of lads. They deserve everything they get,” said Jason Purcell who was especially delighted with his side’s defensive display - Fairview didn’t concede a single goal in their 2008-09 Munster Junior Cup campaign.
“I think that experience counts for a lot. Martin (Neary) and Brian Buckley were outstanding throughout the whole tournament.
“We didn’t concede goal before the final and thankfully we didn’t concede a goal again today.
“We had a lot of tough games.
“Two games away in Waterford, Waterford’s is a strong league and Carrick proved that again today, but thankfully we were the much better side and we deserved the win.”
Fairview still have plenty to play for this season and on Thursday night next (6.30pm at the Fairgreen) Rangers face Pike Rovers in a game which will decide the Kilmurry Lodge Premier League.
“We’ll enjoy tonight,” added Jason Purcell, “and probably Monday as well, then get back to the grindstone and hopefully beat Pike Rovers on Thursday night.
“It’s great for the club to be back competing at this level again.
“I wouldn’t have said it at the start of the year. If you asked me then would we get to a Munster junior final I would have said no chance.
“The amount of players the club has lost to the League of Ireland down the years has been hard. I don’t think any other club would have survived, but Fairview keep churning out the players. Thankfully we got it right this year.”
So does this provincial title herald a return to the glory days which saw Fairview Rangers dominate the domestic, provincial and national game: “I don’t know if you can say that,” explained Jason Purcell.
“We have to play it by year.
“No one has a divine right to play in Munster Junior and FAI Junior Cup finals. Hopefully we can be competing again.”
Meanwhile Pat Scully’s Super Blues collected their fourth win of the season on Saturday night when Limerick saw off the challenge of Longford Town at Flancare Park.
Limerick FC took the lead in the 15th minute when Martin Deady found the head of Thomas Lyons with a terrific cross and the teenage midfielder made no mistake from close range. Longford Town managed to level the game two minutes into the second half, but Limerick, who looked the more accomplished footballing side on the night, re-claimed the lead in the 84th minute when Davy Ryan stole in to punish Longford for a defensive error.
Paul Cummins made it three-one in the 90th minute when the striker raced clear of the Longford back four before blasting a smashing shot past a helpless Anthony Fennelly. While in injury time Adrian Murphy scored a consolation goal for Longford.
Limerick now prepare for the visit of league leaders UCD to Jackman Park on Friday night (7.45pm).

Brian McDonnell

Fairview face a huge final challenge

FAIRVIEW Rangers face a huge challenge this Sunday when they face Carrick United in the Munster Junior Cup final at Jackman Park (2.30pm).
Although Fairview enjoy a storied history in the provincial competition winning the coveted title on six occasions (1965, 1970, 1992, 1998, 1999 & 2000) they will enter Sunday afternoon’s decider as underdogs.
Carrick, beating Killester United 2-1 in the final, won last season’s FAI Junior Cup and during their run to the Munster Junior Cup Final they have already claimed the significant scalps of Newcastle West (5-0) and Regional United (1-0).
Fairview manager Jason Purcell, who is joined on the management team by Jimmy Sheehan, Stewart Fitzgerald and Kevin Keegan (physio), travelled to Waterford last week to watch Carrick against Waterford Bohs and came away more than impressed with Sunday’s opposition: “In fairness Carrick United are a very good side and even though we are playing them at home in Limerick you would still have to make Fairview the underdogs to win it. I’m not playing games saying that. I really mean it, Carrick really are excellent. They’re dogged, physical and they can really play football.
“They’ve been knocking on the door for the past two or three years in all the major competitions and their win in last season’s FAI Junior Cup was no fluke.”
To further complicate matters Jason Purcell’s squad have to deal with a Lawson Cup quarter-final clash with Carew Park tonight while the club are also gravely concerned about an injury to defender Martin Neary who they hope can recover in time for Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Fairview trail Pike Rovers by a single point with the sides scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 21 at the Fairgreen.
The drama is coming thick and fast for Fairview, but Jason Purcell wouldn’t have it any other way: “All I can tell you is we’re not giving up on anything. We have Carew Park in the Lawson Cup tonight, we’re hoping Pike will slip up in the league and, of course, we’re really looking forward to a Munster final on Sunday.
“The league really is in Pike’s hands, but we are still in the running in the other two cup competitions and both of those mean a lot to us.”
En route to this final Fairview have seen off Abbey Rovers (5-0), Geraldines (6-0), Ballynanty Rovers (3-0), Cork’s Ballyvolane (6-0), Clare’s Rineanna Rovers (1-0), Dungarvan United (1-0) and Carrick’s Waterford rivals Tramore AFC (1-0) at the semi-final stage.
“To be fair we’re playing some good stuff lately and scoring plenty of goals,” explained Jason Purcell.
“We were really delighted to beat Tramore - they’re the best side we’ve played all season. There wasn’t much between the sides that day. There was only ever going to be one goal in it and thankfully we got it.”
And, the Fairview Rangers manager is also appealing to the Limerick public to come out in force and support the ‘View on Sunday.
“To be honest about it, down the years, I’ve always felt that once a club got out of town they were representing Limerick and deserved the support of every other club.
“That’s the way I have always approached it and I would like to think that everyone will come out and support us this weekend.
“We’re representing Limerick in this final and I hope plenty of people will see it that way. It’s a huge ask for us to go and beat Carrick in the final. They have to be favourites.
“We’re still a very young side. We’re trying to re-create a team like the team that dominated the FAI Junior Cup, well that’s the plan anyway, but we still have a lot of work to do to get there. The lads are a good honest bunch, they’re really looking forward to Sunday and who knows if we get plenty of support and a bit of luck the game might go our way.”
Limerick clubs have won the MFA Cup 22 times with Pike Rovers last collecting the coveted title in 2007 while Ballynanty Rovers lost last year’s decider to Leeside.

Fairview Rangers: Rob Crowley, Michael Costello, Trevor Cosgrove, Brian Buckley, Cyril Maher, Paul Harmon, Eoin O’Sullivan, Brian Keating, Martin Neary, Darren Harrington, Ross Cosgrove, Willie O’Brien, Jonathan Grant, Jeffrey Judge, Colm Heffernan, Paudie Fitzgerald, Dave Morris, Robbie Kelleher & Christy Doyle.

Brian McDonnell