Away days for Clare sides in next round of FAI Junior Cup

Both Newmarket Celtic and Avenue United face away trips in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup.

Newmarket Celtic will travel to Limerick as they come up against Regional United. Avenue United will venture to Galway as they face Colga FC.

The game between Newmarket Celtic and Regional promises to be an interesting tie for Robert Shier.

The Regional goalkeeper previously represented Newmarket but will now be aiming to knock his former club out of the Cup.

Shannon duo Eoin Duff and Brian O’Connor will be aiming to end Newmarket’s interest in the competition with the pair both starting Regional’s 3-2 extra time win over Sligo’s Strand FC in the previous round.

The Newmarket outfit overcame Raheny United 3-1 last Sunday with Darragh Leahy, Harvey Cullinan and Aaron Rudd on target.

Goalkeeper Shane Cusack was forced off injured with Dermot Gannon stepping up to save a penalty when Newmarket led 2-1.

Avenue United secured a comprehensive 8-0 win over Cork side St. Mary’s in the Fifth Round. Ronan Kerin and Tomás Hehir both fired in a brace while Mark Roche, Callum Barrett, Nneji Nnabuike and Elias Kunz also found the target.

This won’t be Avenue’s first trip to Galway in this year’s competition with the Ennis outfit beating Tuam Celtic 4-0 in the Fourth Round.

Both Clare sides have been drawn away from home in the past three rounds of the competition.

David Russell’s side reached this stage of the competition last season as they were beaten on penalties by Wexford outfit North End United.

The draw was completed this Wednesday at FAI HQ, Abbotstown by Competitions Manager Fran Gavin and Villa FC goalkeeper Craig Dunphy. The ties will be played on the weekend of February 11/12.

FAI Junior Cup – Sixth Round Draw
Buncrana Hearts v Salthill Devon FC
Regional United v Newmarket Celtic FC
Old County FC v Ballynanty Rovers AFC
Tallaght United v Killarney Celtic
Gorey Rangers AFC v Fairview Rangers FC
Colga FC v Avenue United
Crumlin United v Sandyhill Shangan FC
St Michael’s AFC v Hibernian FC