FAI Cup Preview: Janesboro -v- Sheriff YC

Limerick junior side Janesboro welcome newly crowned FAI Junior Cup champions Sheriff YC to Pearse Stadium, with kick-off set for 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

JANESBORO

The Limerick District League champions will be looking to join their neighbours Limerick FC in the next round, while avenging defeat to Sheriff in the last four of the FAI Junior Cup.

The side have also fallen narrowly short in the local Tuohy Cup last week as well as being eliminated in the last four of the Munster Junior Cup. In what has been a long season on many fronts, Shane O’Hanlon’s charges still have an outside chance of winning their local league title.

The ‘Boro have some former League of Ireland experience to call-upon. The prolific Shane Clarke, and the creative John Tierney are two stand-out names, while Stephen Bradley and Thomas Clarke have been consistent performers this season.

Tierney, John Boyle and Shane Clarke all featured for the Republic of Ireland amateur side against Northern Ireland on Saturday, with Clarke captaining…..

A workman like performance on Wednesday evening saw them score a 1-0 victory over rivals Pike Rovers during the week. Despite their loss to the same opposition just a few weeks ago, the club who wear red and black will be optimistic that they can reverse that result to advance to the last sixteen. Fatigue may be the biggest hurdle, particularly with three players having travelled to Dublin for to represent their country just yesterday.

Janesboro managed a 4-2 victory away to St. John Bosco in the first round in early April, before being drawn against arguably the most feared junior side in the country.

SHERIFF YC

A hugely satisfying week saw the Dublin side crowned FAI Junior Champions with a 1-0 win over Pike Rovers at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday, before seeing results elsewhere guarantee them an incredible sixth consecutive AUL title. Mark Higgins’ goal last week was enough to give them a deserved win, and see them crowned the best junior side in Ireland for a third time.

Managed by Alan Reilly has plenty of experience and talent in his ranks, including former Limerick midfielder John Lester, as well as former Shelbourne and Bohemian ‘keeper Lee Murphy. John Rock and Darren Dunne are two players who can influence the game for midfield, while Stewy Glen is their top scorer this season.

The team are unbeaten this season, a remarkable achievement and also face three more cup finals; the LFA Junior Cup Final, the AUL Liddy Cup Final and the Nivea Cup Final. With five pieces of silverware potentially heading back to Fairview Park.

Despite their lengthy season, they’d likely welcome a clash with a League of Ireland side in the third round, should they overcome the hosts here.

Referee: Unavailable

MATCH STATS

Sheriff defeated Janesboro 4-1 in the FAI Junior Cup semi-final back in April.

Aaron Nunan and Shane Clarke have both scored 11 league goals while Shane’s brother Thomas has scored six in the Limerick District Premier Division.

BETTING

Janesboro 7/2; Draw 11/4; Sheriff YC 8/13

PREDICTION

Janesboro 1-2 Sheriff YC

Janesboro

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Sheriff YC

Injured: .Unavailable

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None