*Bridge Utd winger, Filip Mostowy. Photograph: Joe Buckley
A PLACE in the Munster junior cup semi-final awaits should Bridge United AFC overcome Cork side Coachford on Sunday.
The Sixmilebridge club will have home advantage for the game which kicks off at 2p.m. They are the only Clare club still in the hunt for honours outside the domestic scene this year so it is understandable that followers of the game in the county expect to see a record attendance on the Shannon Rd for Sunday’s game.
“It’s a big occasion for the club and a big game for us. Coachford beat a fancied Avenue United side in the last round. They are a strong physical team”, Bridge Utd manager Mark Culbert told The Clare Echo.
This is the first time in the club’s history that they have reached the last eight in this prestigious competition.
Culbert outlined, “We have got to the latter stages at youths, under 17 and under 16 levels but to be here with our adult team is new ground. It shows the progression being made by the club”.
They go into Sunday’s game with a clean bill of health. “There are one or two niggles but we expect to have a full squad from which to select our starting team”, the manager added.
Bridge United have won four games to get to this stage of the competition and they have yet to concede a goal. They recorded 1-0 wins over fellow Clare sides Newmarket Celtic and Tulla United before coming away from Clonmel with a 3-0 win. In the quarter final they scored a 1-0 win over Dungarvan, Liam Buckley netting the winner in the dying stages.
Understandably, they are hoping to keep another clear sheet on Sunday. The side is captained by goalkeeper John Mulready, one of the team’s most experienced players. After a number of seasons with Limerick side Janesboro, he returned to his native Sixmilebridge club where he has continued his excellent form. An outstanding goalkeeper, he is also noted for his leadership qualities.
In addition to the captain, Bridge United will also be looking to Ger Myles, Scot Kirkland, Eric Carr, Filip Mostowy and Alan Mulready to lead the way on Sunday.
“This is huge for the club, it’s great for the committee and all involved and it’s all systems go for Sunday. If we put in the performance we know we have, then we can progress. We know Coachford are very good and that they will be a handful but we have played well to date and hopefully that will continue on Sunday”, said manager Culbert.
Because of their progress in both the FAI Junior Cup (they reached the last 16) and the Munster competition, they are well behind in the number of games they have played in the domestic league. “We only have four Clare league games played and it will be a while before we know where everyone stands in the domestic competition”, he said.
For now the whole focus is on Sunday’s clash with Coachford and all involved in Clare soccer will be wishing Bridge United well as they chase a Munster semi-final spot.
