*Newmarket Celtic striker Darragh Leahy competes with Bridge Utd net minder John Mulready. Photograph: Joe Buckley
NEWMARKET CELTIC and Bridge Utd are on course to clash in two season defining outings over the coming weeks.
A top of the table tie awaits between Newmarket and Bridge in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division but both neighbouring clubs are likely to face off in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup.
Bridge Utd will be raging hot favourites to account for Shannon Hibs on Sunday in their refixed FAI second round tie and the reward for the winners is to face the only Clare club to have won the competition with Newmarket Celtic securing home advantage for the game.
Avenue Utd will also have home comforts and have avoided a difficult draw when they face off with the winners of Creeves Celtic and Dromore Utd.
Should Tulla Utd do the business against St Ita’s AFC on Saturday evening, their reward will be a home game against Clare opponents with Fern Celtic waiting in the wings.
Six Clare clubs remain in the competition heading into this weekend, that figure will be reduced by at least one come Sunday evening.
FAI Junior Cup Round 3 (Clare District Soccer League, Kerry District League & Limerick Desmond):
Ballingarry AFC vs Broadford Utd
Breska Rovers vs Rathkeale AFC
Newmarket Celtic FC vs Shannon Hibs / Bridge Utd
St Brendan’s Park vs Killarney Celtic FC
Avenue Utd vs Creeves Celtic / Dromore Utd
St Ita’s AFC / Tulla Utd vs Fern Celtic
