*Conor Hehir clears the ball from Colin Smyth. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill RETAINING THE LEAGUE title is the best way for Newmarket Celtic to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the Clare Cup.
*Ray & Dylan Casey with the Clare Cup. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill AN ELEVEN YEAR WAIT to win a second Clare Cup medal was gladly ended for Dylan Casey on Saturday evening.
*Avenue Utd celebrate their Clare Cup success. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill HAVING WON FOUR CLARE CUPS and Premier Division medals in his playing days, David Russell was a beaming figure on Saturday evening to collect his first piece of silverware as manager of Avenue Utd’s first team.
*Avenue Utd celebrate their Cup success. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill AVENUE UNITED were crowned Clare Cup champions for the first time since 2011 after they ended Newmarket Celtic’s aspirations of claiming an unprecedented tenth title in succession.
*Elias Kunz. Photograph: Natasha Barton SO FAR AS star signings in Clare sport are concerned, you can certainly put Elias Kunz to the top of the list for this year.
AVENUE UTD have received a major boost ahead of Saturday’s Cup final with the return of striker Ronan Kerin.
*Avenue Utd manager David Russell at the club grounds in Roslevan. Photograph: Natasha Barton SILVERWARE MUST BE OBTAINED if Avenue Utd’s progress this season is to be classed as a success, the manager of the ten-time Clare Cup champions has outlined.
*Dylan Casey. Photograph: Natasha Barton DYLAN CASEY’s name is already well etched into the history of Avenue Utd but this Saturday he is hoping to play a leading role in carving out a new chapter for the club while also stopping the county’s dominant force.
*Stephen Kelly celebrates scoring the winner. Photograph: Joe Buckley Newmarket Celtic’s dream of a tenth successive Clare Cup title is still alive but they had to survive some anxious moments before overcoming a strong Lifford challenge in this Sunday morning’s semi-final.
*Mark Roche netted twice for Avenue Utd. Avenue Utd advanced to the finals of the Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup Final but not without getting a fright as they held off a determined Shannon Hibs.
