*Avenue Utd manager, David Russell. Photograph: Joe Buckley
REACHING THE final of the Ennis Carpets Clare Cup and remaining in the hunt for Premier Division honours was the goal for Avenue Utd from the get-go, their target is still well and truly alive.
A place in the Cup final was secured as they expectedly saw off the challenge of Fair Green Celtic last weekend, winning on a margin of 3-1 with goals from Mark Roche, Ronan Kerin and Vincent Onouha.
Following their tussle with the Aaron Leahy managed Shannon Hibs at the penultimate stage of the competition last season, Avenue were well primed for Fair Green according to their boss, David Russell. “In the Cup semi-final last year we were in an awful battle with Shannon Hibs who had been relegated at the time and people thought it was going to be a walk in the park but they put us to pin of our collar, we didn’t expect anything less from Fair Green Celtic, they have a good bunch of lads over them and lads who played in the Premier Division down through the last few years so we expected this tough, hard, physical battle and we’re happy to have come out on top in the end”.
For both semi-finals, Russell from the sideline had reminded his players that they had superior fitness, he wasn’t incorrect in either assessment. “These players pride themselves on their physicality and fitness, it showed here again, they moved the ball really quick. In the second half, it got a bit messy, the standard dropped and the bit of a melee didn’t help maybe that was intentional I don’t know but for twenty minutes after that Fair Green actually got on top of us after going down to ten men, they had the better chances in that spell but fitness in the end will always stretch teams, we created so many chances and we should have scored a lot more but at the end of the day a Cup semi-final is there to be won in whatever fashion”.
Former Avenue Utd clubmen have been centrally involved with Fair Green’s foundation including Chairman Declan Ryan, manager Richie O’Grady and a sprinkling of players such as Shane Browne, Pa Sherlock, Ross McCarthy and Eddie Shaw. “They’ve had a great season winning the Third Division, we’ll see how they progress in the Second Division,” Clarecastle native Russell noted.
Now in his fourth season in charge of the club that he formerly lined out as a centre-half for, Russell told The Clare Echo that they are not lacking in hunger to retain their titles as Premier Division and Clare Cup champions. “We’ve a squad of nineteen and I could see some unhappy faces walking off, we’re trying to keep everyone happy but it is not always possible. We’re in the mix for the league with only a couple of games left and waiting for Newmarket to catch up, now we’re in a Cup final again, it’s our bread and butter, it’s what we strive for at the start of the season and we’re in prime position again”.
He continued, “Newmarket have five games left, we’ve two so we’ll be waiting with bated breath to see what they do after their escapades in the FAI and Munster”.
One of their most experienced players, two-time Oscar Traynor winner Conor Mullen is currently part of their management as he remains sidelined with a knee injury. “Conor was up in Santry, he got news that he will be out of action for a couple of months. He is a great man, a great organiser, a vocal individual and a great man to have on the line, a good friend of mine and a good addition, hopefully he’ll be back fit and strong next year”.
An Ennis derby awaits in the Cup final with Lifford FC serving as their opponents. “Lifford have given us problems, they’ve given Newmarket problems, they beat them in the Hugh Kelly and beat us at the start of the season, they are no mugs, they are in a Cup final and third in the league”.
