Exciting semi-finals expected

THE Junior Cup semi-finals will dominate proceedings on the Clare soccer front this weekend and two exciting and lively contests are expected.
The County Grounds in Doora will host both ties with Bridge United B and Rock Rovers clashing on Saturday evening at 6pm.
Bridge are the surprise packets in this season’s competition and they cannot be taken lightly. They are chasing a league and cup double and given the progress of Lifford B in getting to the final last year, they will be confident of progressing.
Rock Rovers won this title in 2008 and many of the players who helped bring about that success are still very much part of their team.
Their experience should swing the tie in their direction and come Saturday night, they should be making plans for another final appearance.
With respect to both Bridge B and Rock Rovers, there is little doubt but that the bigger crowd this weekend will be at Sunday’s semi-final between Avenue United A and Bridge Celtic A.
The league tie between the sides that ended with the game being abandoned at Lees Road has been well-documented. Avenue lost all home games for the season as a result and when the sides met in the league at O’Briensbridge, the Ennis side came from behind to snatch a 4-4 draw.
They are in a strong position to win the league and they are keen to make it a double by adding the cup title, but Celtic are equally keen to get to the decider.
This is the only Clare soccer title that the South East Clare club has never won. They have contested and lost four finals, two in the 70s and two in the 80s.
On paper, Avenue look the more settled side and will enter Sunday’s contest as favourites. At the end of what should be a close affair, they should just about be ahead.
Both games must conclude on the day so extra time and penalties will apply, if the need arises.