FITTINGLY, as the season draws to a close, Limerick 37 will play a vital part in deciding which club is promoted.

After a pretty poor effort against Athlone Town at Jackman Park last Friday Limerick travel to play leaders Dundalk to-morrow night. A win for Mike Kerley’s side would create the chance for Shelbourne to stake their claim for Premier action next season.

But if Limerick perform as they did in the scoreless draw against Athone they will not beat Dundalk.

Pat Purcell was out through injury last Friday and it is hoped he will be back for this important tie the outcome of which is unlikely to deny Limerick a fifth place finish.

Limerick created a n umber of scoring chances against Athlone who clearly came with gaining a point as they packed their defence from early on and the Limerick goalkeeper, Brian Collopy, who was making his first start, had no opportunity to show his talent as not once was he tasted.

The visiting goalkeeper, though, had a very testing evening and was forced to make two superb saves.

The first came after fifteen minutes when he brilliantly tipped over a superb half volley by Dave Ryan.

The ‘keeper was fortunate early in the second half when Brian Cleary should have made more of a chance with a header and later on Chimka manjor headed feebly into the ‘keepers hands with a clear chance.

Substitute Bobby Tier had a great chance to earn all three points a minute from the end but failed to make proper contact and then in stoppage time John Tierney had an effort scrambled off the Athlone goal line.

Limerick’s last game-before they revert to being called Limerick FC next season-will be against Kildare County on Friday week.

REGIONAL United are certainly enjoying a tremendous early season under the auspices of the LDMC.

They remain unbeaten with their latest success being a 3-1 Munster Junior cup win against Ballynanty Rovers B. Frankie Stewart put them in front and Mike Ahern doubled the tally before Frank Hogan slotted home a penalty to set up an exciting finish but Alan Finucane assured progress with a third for Regional late on.

Aisling Annacotty were the biggest winners when they beat Polonia Luimni 9-1 with a hat-trick by Paul Cummins being the highlight.

Though they finished with ten players, Pike Rovers, cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win against Knockainey.

Colm Enright, Wayne O’Donovan, Pat Moloney and an own goal made up the tally.

Ballynanty Rovers A Team were always in cruise control when beating their neighbours, Moyross United, 5-1.

Robert Earls scored twice and Ken McNamara, Gareth Ryan and Robert Brock were all on target for the winners with Adrian Power getting the Moyross goal.

The Clarke brothers, Thomas and Shane, were Janesboro’s scorers in their 3-0 win against Kilfinane at Pearse Stadium with Shane getting two.

The most exciting game of the day was that between Summerville B and Kilmallock, who were fancied to win at home.

Darren O’Sullivan and Keith Finch scored the Summerville goals as the game went to a penalty shoot-out in which the city side emerged 4-3 winners.

In the FAI Junior Cup Granville Rangers were staring defeat until Niall Doran had a late equalizer against Shannon Town and in extra time Conor Crowe grabbed the winner for the city side.

There was one game in the Premier Division in which Ian O’Donoughue starred for Corbally United who beat Wembley Rovers 3-1 with Diarmuid O’Callaghan on the mark for the losers as O’Donoughue helped himself to a hat-trick.

THE atrocious weather denied the Desmond League the opportunity of making the first defence of the Oscar Traynor inter-league crown.

Because that game was due to be played on Saturday there was no action in the Premier league in which Newcastle West have a five points lead at the top of the table after six games.

All action in the Desmond league was wiped out by the weather..

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