Historic all-Limerick Clash in Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup
The word historic is often over used in relation to events or achievements. However, Treaty United’s up-coming meeting with Pike Rovers in the Third Round of the Sports Direct Mens FAI Cup is genuinely of historic proportions.
Only once before in the competition’s long and storied history have two Limerick sides met in the FAI Cup. That was back in 1987, when Newcastle West AFC (then in the League of Ireland) hosted Limerick City in the Demense (or as it was called at the time, Ballygowan Park). That game resulted in a 4-0 victory for the away side.
There are a couple of interesting modern day links to that game from 37 years ago. Al Finucane played with both Newcastlewest AFC and Limerick City although he was not with either club at the time they met in the FAI Cup (he was with Limerick City the previous season and Newcastle West AFC the following season).
Al was recently a guest of honour at the Markets Field for Treaty United’s Sports Direct Mens FAI Cup Second Round game against Killbarrack United. And Tommy Lynch, who co-commentates on LOI TV for Treaty United’s home games and who will be on duty for the Pike game, was a midfielder that day for the Limerick City side.
The Finucane family link to Pike Rovers extends even further. Al’s son, Alan, played Junior soccer with Pike while his nephew, Paul, played schoolboy football with the Crossagalla club before forging a League of Ireland career in Senior soccer in Limerick.
Back in 1987, it was two Limerick Senior League of Ireland sides going head-to-head. This time, it is Limerick’s only Senior League of Ireland representatives taking on a Pike Rovers side which have been to the fore-front of Junior soccer both locally and nationally.
It’s a mouth-watering prospect and should provide many talking points amongst the Limerick soccer fraternity. It will even provide some people with divided localities as there are a number of Pike Rovers stalwarts who are regular visitors to the Markets Field in support of Treaty United.
Treaty United’s have seen the FAI Cup feature in their short history. In 2022, the club made it all the way to the semi-final stage before going down to a narrow 2-1 away defeat to eventual winners, Derry City. In 2001, Pike also made their exit at the hands of eventual winners, Sligo Rovers, losing 3-2 in the Showgrounds.
Treaty United advanced to this stage of the competition courtesy of a penalty shoot-out victory over a dogged Kilbarrack United side where 17-year old Michael Dike was the hero, saving two spot-kicks. Pike Rovers advanced to this stage with a comfortable 3-1 victory over MSL side Midleton FC with goals from Dylan Murphy, Shane Walsh and Shane Clarke.
The relative strength of League of Ireland soccer and the top end of junior soccer in Limerick has long been a discussion topic in homes, clubhouses and hostelries around the city and county. That comparison will be put to the test in a fixture of significant importance when the stakes really are high with a place in the quarter finals of the FAI Cup for the winner.
Treaty United manager, Tommy Barrett is well-versed in the local junior soccer scene. He is looking forward to the game:
“We are really looking forward to the occasion and are expecting a really tough game. Pike are a really good, experienced side along with some very good youngsters. We’ll treat them with the respect they deserve. We’re hoping for a big turn-out and to put on a performance for the fans and, hopefully, make it through to the next round.
Pike are one the junior clubs that have helped keep senior soccer alive in the city. They came to the help of Limerick FC back in 2003 and 2004 when they made their pitch in Crossagalla available for League of Ireland soccer.”
It’s all happening on Friday, August 16th so get yourself down to Limerick’s home of soccer, the Markets Field, for a 7.45PM kick off in what is likely to be the most talked about local soccer game this year. The tie will be decided on the night, with extra time and penalties if necessary.
