*Bridge Utd’s starting eleven in Clonmel.
CLARE’s hopes of provincial honours in the Munster Junior Cup remain on track following Sunday’s success for Avenue Utd and Bridge Utd to secure their qualification to the last sixteen.
In successive weekends, both clubs have sealed their passage to the last thirty two of the FAI Junior Cup and the last sixteen of the Munster Junior Cup to ensure they’ll be lining out in the top two junior competitions into 2025.
League leaders Tulla Utd recorded a home draw (1-1) with Newmarket Celtic in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division. Éanna Culloo put Tulla in front with a free off his left boot on twenty eight minutes but they were denied a share of the spoils when the experienced David McCarthy headed home a corner from Nathan Boaventura on eighty seven minutes. The result keeps Tulla top of the table, they have six games under their belt in the league.
Also in the Premier Division, it finished all square in Lynch Park as Shannon Town Utd and Lifford AFC played out a 0-0 draw.
Safe passage to last 16 for Avenue
Avenue Utd 5
Askeaton/Kilcornan 1
Venue: Roslevan
By half-time Avenue Utd had effectively sealed their place in the fifth round of the Munster Junior Cup when they held a four goal advantage.
After the need to have Steven McGann in Avenue’s starting eleven if they are to remain serious contenders for external honours was flagged by The Clare Echo in the past week, the Ennis man certainly justified the argument when he managed to bag a hat-trick all within the opening half. There’ll be no risk of us holding our breath when waiting to get nod of appreciation from Avenue Utd manager David Russell for pointing out something so simple.
Stranger things have happened such as the addition of Adrian Walsh as coach to the Roslevan based club this season and his input has been clear to see, particularly in how composed Avenue Utd are when in possession and their focus on trying to work the ball out of defence.
McGann raided for his hat-trick within the space of fifteen minutes as the relentless pressure piled on by Avenue in attack finally reaped the rewards. His first was a solid finish off his left boot, the second goal on thirty four minutes may have taken a deflection but the conviction shown to win possession and power through the opposing defence gave an indication of the hunger they have brought to the table so far in this campaign.
Elias Kunz failed to give up when manufacturing the opening for McGann’s third goal. An effort from Kunz teed up McGann for a rebound which he made no mistake in firing to the back of the net. The move began with Conor Hehir making the smart choice to recycle the ball back to centre half Conor Mullen and from here they worked the ball forward to the hard working Kunz.
A role reversal saw McGann play Kunz through for goal number four, a pass in a tight angle was calmly finished to the net by Elias who after a spell out of action has been a welcome addition to their starting team.
On the restart, Elias had his second assist of the day when bursting through and pulling the ball back to substitute Owen Hadden who made no mistake to convert what was his first goal in the Munster Junior Cup.
“Game management” became the focus for the hosts from here and to a large extent they did this very well. The only minus factors were the mistake from Kuba Ruminowicz in fumbling an Alan Ryan shot over the line and a scare where they allowed a player through behind their back on the right wing.
Dominant from start to finish, Avenue Utd for the second year in a row head into the festive break for the Munster Junior Cup in a healthy position. As they move forward in the competition, so too will they encounter stiffer tests from better opponents. A slight lapse which allowed Askeaton/Kilcornan get on the scoresheet can occur when they life goes out of games but such blips cannot happen when they face higher quality opposition, that said based on current form Avenue will certainly be feared by most teams still standing.
Standout players on this occasion for the winners were Dylan Casey who seemed to enjoy his role as an attacking left full-back, the duo of Eoghan Thynne and Nnabuike Nneji were particularly prominent when they needed to be while Steven McGann’s ability to weave through defences to create chances is an asset to any team. The growing strength in depth of their squad is also apparent with the youthful duo of Kayden Deegan-Herlihy and Owen Hadden looking very lively when sprung off the bench.
Avenue Utd: Kuba Ruminowicz: Conor Hehir, Conor Mullen, Seán O’Callaghan, Dylan Casey; Eoghan Thynne, Nnabuike Nneji; Jack Ryan, Steven McGann, Elias Kunz; Ronan Kerin.
Subs: Owen Hadden for McGann (HT), Mark Roche for Kunz (57), Kayden Deegan-Herlihy for Kerin (57), Mikey Dinan for Thynne (65), Dylan Barry for O’Callaghan (65).
Askeaton/Kilcornan: Padhraic McMahon; Kevin O’Keeffe, John McCarthy, Alan Ryan, E Costello; Raymond Kelly, Diarmuid O’Connor, Stephen Smith, Kenneth O’Donoghue, Sam Duggan, Tomás Sheahan.
Subs: Matt Moane for O’Keeffe (55), S Downes for O’Connor (57), Sean Whelan for O’Donoghue (60), Colm Flaherty for McCarthy (80) (inj)
Referee: Pa Gleeson
Trip to Tipp pays off Bridge
Bridge Utd 3
Clonmel Celtic 0
Venue: Celtic Park, Clonmel
Fresh from claiming their place in the last thirty two of the FAI Junior Cup in dramatic fashion last weekend, Bridge Utd got the job done in ninety minutes on away soil to cap off a fruitful fortnight for Mark Culbert and his charges.
Ger Myles’ scoring blitz continued, this time outside the county. He hit his eleventh goal in five games to put the visitors in the driving seat on the thirteenth minute.
They doubled their advantage on the twenty sixth minute when Jack O’Halloran set up Brian Corry who made no mistake in putting the ball beyond Fabian Kerton.
Substitute Dominic Griffin struck their third goal to seal the deal on seventy six minutes after fellow sub Witness Odirile had the assist.
Clonmel Celtic would describe their efforts as tame as they never put their stamp on proceedings but the better team was without question the side from Sixmilebridge.
Mark Culbert’s charges have been slowly building over the past three seasons but the strides are clearly visible this season boosted by the return of Scott Kirkland and the additions of Ger Myles and Filip Mostowy while the continued experienced at adult football gained by Jack O’Halloran and Lee Mulready is visible to see.
Bridge Utd: John Mulready; Leon Fitzpatrick, Lee Mulready, Alan Mulready, Liam Flynn; Eric Carr, Jack O’Halloran, Scott Kirkland, Ger Myles, Filip Mostowy, Brian Corry
Subs: Witness Odirile for Mostowy (37), Ronan Tuohy for Myles (HT), Leon Kelly for Fitzpatrick (61), Mikey Guerin for Carr (70), Dominic Griffin for Tuohy (74)
Clonmel Celtic: Fabian Kerton; Ayo Williams, Peter O’Dowd, John O’Connor, Cian O’Sullivan, C O’Brien, Rory O’Dowd, J Kerton, Sean Hawkins, Kyle Cuddy, Darren Sweeney.
Referee: Patrick Keane
