*PICTURED: Tadhg Noonan was on target for Newmarket Celtic. Photo by Natasha Barton
Avenue United will be hoping to move a step closer to FAI cup glory on this Saturday when they travel to Dublin to take on Tallaght at 2p.m.
Finalists in this competition back in 1990 the Ennis based club has got to the concluding stages of the competition on a number of occasions.
Last season Newmarket Celtic became the first Clare club to capture this prestigious title but they were knocked out of the competition earlier this season.
The David Russell managed Ennis side are still in the hunt for the Munster junior cup title also and in two weeks time they face a trip to West Cork for their next outing in this particular competition.
For now, however the focus is on Saturday’s clash with a Tallagh outfit that is doing well in their league in Dublin.
Avenue United 3 Tulla United 1
Three second half goals steered Avenue United to their latest win in the Clare premier league on Sunday.
Tulla United led 1-0 at half time but Avenue jumped ahead in the third quarter thanks to a brace of goals from Steven McGann and their third goal came just before the final whistle from substitute Witness Odirile.
Newmarket Celtic 3 Lifford 0
Leading into this premier league clash at McDonagh park on Sunday, many Clare soccer followers expected that Lifford would make things difficult for Celtic.
For much of the opening quarter, a Lifford victory looked to be on the cards but failure to convert good chances was to prove costly.
The Ennis side failed to score from, not one, but two penalty efforts, failing to hit the target with both.
Midway through the opening half Tadhg Noonan scored for the home side and this goal separated the teams at the interval.
Fifteen minutes from the end Harvey Cullinan scored from the penalty spot to double Newmarket’s lead and they sealed victory with a headed effort from Darragh Leahy shortly before the full time whistle.
Shannon Town 5 Kilrush Rangers 0
Shannon Town had a comfortable win over Kilrush Rangers in a tie played at Lees Road on Sunday.
Jack Ryan (2), Billy Connors, Eoghan Gough and Jamie Doyle were the scorers for the winners.
Bridge United 6 Coole FC 0
Four goals in the opening half hour helped Bridge United to this comfortable win over Coole FC on Sunday.
Liam Flynn headed the opening goal after just four minutes and four minutes later Ronan Tuohy headed home after a Liam Buckley cross.
Tuohy turned provided ten minutes lated for Lee Mulzready to run on to and finish to the net, They were 4-0 in front on the half hour when Jack O’Halloran punished a defensive error.
They continued to dominate on the change over and Paul Corry fired home to an empty net following a pass from veteran Noel Collins.
Shortly before the full time whistle Lee Mulready struck for his second after good play by Podge Collins, Kyle Kirby and Paul Corry.
