Quarter final places in the prestigious Munster junior cup await both Avenue United and Bridge United should they manage victories in this Sunday’s last sixteen games.
Both have home advantage on Sunday with Avenue entertaining Coachford from Cork at Roslevan at 2p.m while Bridge United will welcome Dungarvan United to Sixmilebridge where the kick off on Sunday will also be at 2p.m.
Avenue United must plan for Saturday’s game without the experienced Dylan Casey who returns to Ireland this weekend following a trip to Australia.
Otherwise manager David Russell and his management team will have a full squad from which to select their team.
Because of the recent disruption to fixture schedules due to inclement weather and he festive holiday break, the Clare club’s officials haven’t had a chance to see their opponents in action.
“We know they are a strong side and currently top their league having been unbeaten in their last five games. We are confident that with home advantage we can get the result”, Avenue manager David Russell told the Clare Echo this week.
It’s a busy week for the Ennis club as, seven days later, they will take on the FAI junior cup title holders, Corkhill from Donegal in a last 32 fixture in that National competition.
For now, however, the focus is on this week’s game in the Munster competition and a win on Sunday would be a timely boost ahead of the national cup fixture.
Brudge United are monitoring the fitness of three players as they put the finishing touches to their plans for Sunday. Ger Myles and Filip Mostovy both picked up injuries in their last round win over Clonmel at the beginning of December and a final decision on their fitness wont be made until nearer match time. Liam Buckley is also a doubtful starter due to injury but ruled out are Kyke Kirby due to injury and Jack O’Halloran and Brian Corry who are both suspended for this outing.
“Dungarvan beat Riverstown from the Munster senior league in the last round in this competition and they are a strong side. We have strengthened out panel this year and we believe that if we perform we can progress to the quarter final”, manager Mark Culbert told the Clare Echo this week.
As with Avenue, this is also a big week for Bridge United as they also face a last 32 fixture in the FAI junior cup on Sunday week when they will again have home advantage with Evergreen from Kilkenny providing the opposition at 2p.m.
