Northside clubs bid for FAI Junior Cup glory

FOUR Northside clubs will be hoping to move a step closer to playing at the Aviva Stadium when they do battle in the last eight of the FAI Junior Cup this weekend.

The standout tie of the quarter finals will see three-times finalists St Kevin’s Boys take on current holders Sheriff YC.

Ballymun United, winners of the competition in 2001 and 2009, will travel to Limerick to take on Pike Rovers who won the cup in 2010, while Kilbarrack United, runners-up in last year’s final, will make the trip to Galway for a clash with Ballinasloe Town. In the fourth tie, Carew Park will meet Pearse Celtic.

An added incentive for this year’s quarter-finalists is that the final will be held at the Aviva Stadium for the first time in the competition’s history.

The Junior Cup showpiece will take place before the Republic of Ireland’s friendly with Georgia on June 2.

Former Republic of Ireland defender and FAI Junior Cup Ambassador, Kenny Cunningham, said the FAI Junior Cup is one of the great cup competitions in Ireland.

“It’s fitting that the players now have the opportunity to compete to play in the Aviva Stadium for this year’s final,

? he stated.

“I know what it’s like to play in front of an Irish home crowd and the noise and atmosphere they bring to international games so I hope the Irish fans will embrace the final too on June 2 and make it a great occasion for two of these clubs.

?

The quarter finals will take place on the weekend of March 23 and 24.