*Cullen McCabe during the league decider between Avenue Utd and Newmarket Celtic last season. Photograph: Natasha Barton
SIX CLARE clubs will be in Munster Junior Cup action this weekend with the meeting of rivals Avenue Utd and Newmarket Celtic the highlight of the soccer season to date.
Clare’s representation in the Munster Junior Cup will be cut in half following the third round fixtures this Sunday.
Mark Culbert’s Bridge Utd welcome Shannon Olympic to Sixmilebridge on Sunday afternoon for a 2pm start with the Premier Division expected to progress. The Shannon derby of Town vs Hibs commences at the same time where local bragging rights will be at stake.
Soccer followers will be heading in the direction of Newmarket-on-Fergus for Sunday morning as Newmarket Celtic and Avenue Utd face off for the first time this season. Fresh from dethroning Celtic as League and Cup champions, Avenue will be hoping to maintain their edge and eliminate their rivals from the provincial competition for the second year in a row.
Both sides will also be facing off in the Premier Division next weekend.
David Russell’s side have been boosted by the addition of Nnabuike Nneji to the spine of their defence which has helped to counteract the void left in Alan Roche’s absence. The signing of goalkeeper Tom O’Brien has also ensured the departure of James Tierney has not had a massive impact.
Unbeaten so far in all competitions, Newmarket Celtic are performing well under new manager Paddy Purcell. Multiple signings in the off-season have really strengthened their cause with the arrivals of Harvey Cullinan, Darragh Leahy, Dean Hegarty, Jashar Aliu and Sean Perrill providing multiple options.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare Youths boss, Ruairí Price noted the encounter was “a huge showcase” for soccer in the county. He said, “Newmarket have home advantage and they will bring a big home crowd, they are the two best teams and are a mile ahead of the rest in the county followed by Bridge Utd, Lifford FC and Shannon Town”.
Avenue have responded superbly to their only loss of the season, he said. “I saw Avenue in their first game of the season which they actually lost to Lifford, I think they were caught on the hop on the opening day of the season, they didn’t expect the ferocity that Lifford brought. Since then they are unbeaten, they are flying it since that loss, last week they smashed Tulla and have been in great form”.
“On the other side, Newmarket haven’t lost a game, they beat Shannon Town last weekend even though they weren’t at their best but they had enough to put them away. I think the addition of Darragh Leahy is something they haven’t had for a while, they haven’t had that physicality up front that he brings, he can be a menace, he has a physical side to his game and he plays on the edge. He left Shannon Hibs and I think the Premier Division is his level. He links up very well with Eoin Hayes and David McCarthy but if he and Hayes are kept quiet, I think Avenue will win,” the Shannon man added.
Price added, “If I was to call it, I can’t see a high scoring game, I can see a 1-0 to either side and the other team just hanging on. I can’t see Avenue coming back and scoring two goals if Newmarket take the lead and the same the other way if Avenue go in front. I think it will be decided on penalties and Avenue to win”.
