Cork Youth team's game with Limerick takes centre stage this weekend

They are only five games down for decision this weekend in the Cork Youth League fixture list.

Tomorrow, Kinsale welcoming Limerick side Newcastlewest Town to Madden Park for a FAI U17 Cup game at 2pm.

The Cork Youth team play Limerick District League at Carrig Park in the Munster Inter-League Cup final also at 2pm. 

The two remaining U17 Gussie Walsh Cup quarter finals will also be played with Douglas Hall meeting Passage at Moneygourney at 1.30pm and Kilworth locking horns with Midleton at the Sheila Flynn Park at 2pm.

On Sunday, Leeside must make the journey to Connors Park in Waterford to play the hosts Villa FC for a Munster U17 Cup tie at 2pm.

The Cork Youth team will defend their Munster Inter-League Cup when they lock horns with Limerick District League in the final at Carrick Park in Fermoy tomorrow at 2pm.

Cork won the trophy last year when they beat Kerry District League by four goals to nil at the Charleville Astro Pitch last March and then went on to lift the FAI Inter-League title a month later beating Mayo in the final in Limerick.

Cork manager Conor Murray and his side will be determined to keep on to the Munster title tomorrow and get the chance to retain the FAI Inter-League title.

The format of the competition has changed this year as it was always a round robin system which game teams a guaranteed minimum of games, however, this season the format is a straight knockout which only gave some teams one game.

However, Cork will have to wary of the Limerick side as they beat Limerick Desmond League 2-1 and they are always very competitive in this competition.

Cork played they only game this season when they had to come from behind to beat Clare by three goals to one at Ennis last month with their goals coming from Midleton player Ben Fitzgerald and Leeside pair JJ Foley and James Grayem.

Conor and his management team of Don O’Mahony and Cian Forde have been working hard with their panel in the last few weeks and they have left no stone unturned to make sure their preparations are right to win this game.

“Whilst we are expecting a very tough game against a strong Limerick side on Saturday, we are really looking forward to it,” Conor said.

“It looks like we will have a clean bill of health going into the game after some big club Munster youth cup games this weekend where the Cork sides all had great wins.

“We played a friendly game last Wednesday night and lads looked really sharp despite some horrendous weather conditions. 

"We can see that the more they play together, the better they are getting. We can see a real intrinsic motivation within the group and they are determined to do well.

“I think if we can execute the basics well tomorrow we have a chance. 

"There is plenty of quality throughout the squad to give us options all over the pitch and the ability to change things if required.

“Anytime there is silverware on offer is a big occasion for everyone involved and lots of these players are used to competing for trophies, so I have no doubts they will thrive on the occasion,” Murray added.