Plenty of exciting football matches scheduled for this weekend. Let’s hope the weather plays ball!

SFAI u16s National Cup takes centre stage this weekend as Lough Derg welcome Avenue Utd of Ennis to Clarisford Park for a 12 noon kick-off. Derg will be confident having overcome Killarney Celtic in the previous round. Avenue Utd will present a tough challenge and with the clubs having met last month in a tough u15 cup match, old acquaintances will be renewed.

Before that the 14Bs host Killavilla B in Clarisford at 10 a.m. while the 14As make the trip to Nenagh to take on Nenagh AFC at 11:30.

The 18 girls also take on Nenagh AFC in Brickfields, kicking off at 1pm.

Both 12s A and B are also playing in Clarisford. Bs kick off v Clodiagh Rangers at 2pm and 12As take on Nenagh AFC at 3:30pm.

On the 3G both u10 boys sides have a game, u10 Blues v Ballymackey at 10 a.m. and u10 Reds v BT at 11 a.m.

Unfortunately the u16 Major tie between Lough Derg B and BT Harps has been postponed due to referee being unavailable.

Also on Saturday the u19 lads take on Ballymackey away at 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday at 2:30 the junior squad are in action in Birdhill, hosting Arra Rovers

Elsewhre the u14 girls are playing a friendly v Birdhill while the u12 girls are having a training match among themselves.

And of course, there’s the Saturday morning academy in St. Anne’s for the future stars aged 6 to 11.

So, lots of games and action to look forward to. A couple of hundred kids and young adults will wear the various shades of blue of Lough Derg this weekend. Enjoy every minutes of it. Give it everything!

Let the games begin!