*Bridge Utd. Photograph: Joe Buckley
CLARE’s three sides left standing in the Munster Junior Cup have all received home draws for the fourth round.
Bridge Utd, Fair Green Celtic and Newmarket Celtic have all secured home advantage for their last thirty two games in the provincial competition. The games are to be played on November 15th/16th.
Mark Culbert’s Bridge Utd went the furthest of all Clare teams in the competition last season when losing to eventual winners Coachford AFC in the quarter-finals. They will welcome Cork AUL outfit Grattan Utd to Sixmilebridge.
Newmarket Celtic who reached the final of the competition in 2023 have been paired against Abbeyfeale Utd. The Limerick club advanced to the fourth round with a 1-0 victory against Grannagh Utd, the all-important goal coming from Olan Quigley. Abbeyfeale won the Munster Champions Cup in 2016.
Tipperary opponents are heading to Ennis to take on Fair Green Celtic. BT Harps produced a strong half to defeat Cloughjordan 7-2 in the third round. Richie O’Grady’s Fair Green this weekend face off with Ennis Dons in a big Premier Division derby.
While only clubs from the county remain in contention for provincial honours, there is still plenty of Clare interest in the competition. Ennis’ Steven McGann is joined by ex Bridge Utd winger Leon Daly in the Pike Rovers side who have been drawn away to College Corinthians.
Regional Utd have home advantage against Ballingarry AFC, their squad includes Shannon duo Eoin Duff and Brian O’Connor along with Newmarket-on-Fergus netminder Rob Shier.
Aisling Annacotty also have their sprinkling of a Clare contingent with Shannon’s Jamie Halpin part of their defence while former Tulla Utd players Isaac O’Sullivan and Arron Curtis also form part of their side. They take on Ringmahon Rangers next weekend.
Kilrush’s Jamie Griffin is part of the Coachford side looking to retain the title and their next outing is away to Carrigaline Utd.
In the Munster Junior Shield, Avenue Utd B and Shannon Town B will be on the road facing Vee Rovers and Cathedral Celtic.
McCarthy Insurance Munster Junior Cup Fourth Round (Last 32):
Peake Villa/Galbally Utd vs Geraldines Afc A
Wilderness Rovers vs Broadford Utd
Villa Fc vs St Brendans Park
St Michaels vs Ballymackey/Rearcross
Arc Rovers vs Castleview A
Carrigaline Utd vs Coachford Afc
Newmarket Celtic A vs Abbeyfeale Utd
Fairgreen Celtic vs Bt Harps
Knocknaheeney Celtic vs Tralee Dynamos
Douglas Hall vs Hibernians Fc
Ringmahon Rgs vs Aisling Annacotty A
College Corinthains vs Pike Rovers A
Bridge Utd vs Grattan Utd
Regional Utd A vs Ballingarry Afc
Killorglin Afc vs Portlaw Utd
Tramore Afc vs Nenagh Afc