*Ronan Tuohy of Bridge Utd and Avenue Utd’s Dylan Casey. Photograph: Joe Buckley
CLARE sides Avenue Utd and Bridge Utd are the last two clubs from the county standing in the FAI Junior Cup and Munster Junior Cup, they have discovered their opponents for their upcoming games in the competition.
On Monday, the draw took place for the fifth round of the Munster Junior Cup. The last sixteen ties are to be held on the weekend of January 11th/12th with the Clare clubs in action on the Sunday (January 12th)
Both Clare clubs received home draws. Bridge Utd will welcome Dungarvan Utd to Sixmilebridge while Avenue Utd have Cork side Coachford AFC as visitors to Roslevan. In the last round, Bridge Utd beat Clonmel Celtic 3-0 in Tipperary while Avenue Utd had a 5-1 over Askeaton/Kilcornan in Roslevan.
In the fourth round, Coachford AFC defeated fellow Cork side Douglas Hall after extra time3-1 with goals from Luke Casey, Mark Murphy and Adam Murphy. They reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2022 but suffered an extra time defeat to St Michael’s 1-0.
Dungarvan sealed their progression to the last sixteen with a home win against Riverstown of Cork, a late goal from Sam Uniacke seeing the Waterford side prevail.
For the last thirty two of the FAI Junior Cup, reigning champions Cockhill Celtic will make the long trip from Donegal to Roslevan where they face Avenue Utd while Mark Culbert’s Bridge Utd will also have home advantage when they meet Evergreen FC, a side that reached the semi-finals in 1999 and 2017. Cockill Celtic won the national title for the first time in their history last April when overcoming Gorey Rangers on penalties 3-1.
Having defeated St Francis 7-0, Avenue’s reward is a home tie with one of the favourites to win the competition, reigning champions Cockhill Celtic but David Russell’s side will fancy their chances. Success on penalties over Crumlin saw Bridge Utd progress to the last thirty two where they will face an Evergreen outfit, the Kilkenny side have former professional footballer Michael Drennan in their side. Both Clare clubs are in action on January 19th for the FAI.
McCarthy Insurance Group Munster Junior Cup Fifth Round (Last 16):
Aisling Annacotty vs Janesboro FC
Bridge Utd vs Dungarvan Utd
Killarney Athletic vs Pike Rovers or De La Salle
Avenue Utd vs Coachford AFC
Peake Villa FC vs Tramore AFC
Villa FC vs Killavilla Utd
Moneygall FC vs Portlaw Utd
DHF Grangevale or Creeves Celtic vs Ringmahon Rangers
FAI Junior Cup Fifth Round (Last 32):
Ringmahon Rangers v Killarney Athletic
Old County or Gorey Rangers v Ballyoulster United
St Columban’s v North End United or Stella Maris
Bridge United v Evergeen FC
Avenue United v Cockhill Celtic
Janesboro v Mungret Regional
Villa FC v Clane United
Ballyhearne FC v Ratoath Harps
Village United or Tramore v Avonmore United
Salthill Devon v Douglas Hall or Tallaght United
Templogue United or Monksland United v Lucan United
Fairview Rangers v St Itas or Lakewood Athletic
Mount Merrion Youths of St Michael’s v Blackforge FC
Fanad United v Harding FC
Castlebar Celtic, Westport United
Letterkenny Rovers v Mervue United
