The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Newmarket Celtic, Bridge United and Shannon Town are all in action this weekend in the Fourth Round of the Munster Junior Cup.
All three sides enjoy home comforts as they aim to reach the Last 16 of the competition. This is the first round where they will be facing teams from outside the county.
Newmarket Celtic face a tricky test against a Killavilla United AFC team that are top of the North Tipperary and District League having lost just one of their nine league games to date. This game will be played on Sunday with a kick off of 2pm.
Paddy Purcell’s side have been in excellent form so far this season, progressing to the Fifth Round of the FAI Junior Cup along with remaining unbeaten in the league. They drew with Avenue United last weekend after winning their opening six league games.
They also eliminated the Ennis side from this competition after Harvey Cullinan’s double saw them come from a goal down to prevail 2-1.
In the second round, Newmarket Celtic overcame Fairgreen Celtic 3-0 with Ian Collins opening the scoring before Cullinan’s brace put the result beyond all doubt.
Meanwhile, the opening game saw Newmarket Celtic prove much too strong for Shannon Hibs B with Dean Hegarty grabbing four goals in an emphatic win.
Meanwhile, Shannon Town will welcome East Cork outfit, Corkbeg AFC to Lynch Park on Sunday, kick off 2pm. Corkbeg AFC won the AUL Premier A trophy last season as they gained promotion to the top tier.
They currently sit top of the Murphy’s Stout Premier League although they are lacking in experience with this the club’s first ever competitive fixture outside of Cork. They also look set to be without Chris Smith, who can play in goal or at centre half as he is heading to Australia.
Steo Dolan’s side progressed through to this stage after securing a 5-2 win over Shannon Hibs.
Charlie Morrison’s brace alongside efforts from Ben O’Neill, Rory Hayes and Aaron Kelly saw the Maloney Hardware Premier Division side avoid a shock defeat.
A Morrison hat trick helped Shannon Town secured a 6-2 win over Kilrush Rangers in the previous round. Steo Dolan’s side proved too strong as Craig Riordan also fired in a brace with Rory Hayes getting on the scoresheet
An emphatic opening round win over Fern Celtic B saw Kieran Hackett nab four goals while Brian Monaghan and Rory Hayes also bagged hat tricks.
Bridge Utd will welcome Avondale United to Frank Healy Park on Saturday, kick off 3.30pm. Mark Culbert’s side secured a morale boosting win over Coole FC at the weekend following successive league defeats.
Mark Culbert’s side came from behind to secure a 3-1 win over Shannon Olympic in the third round of this competition.
The Corry brothers accounted for all three of their sides’ goals as Paul converted two penalties while Brian scored from a free kick.
Bridge United came through a tricky second round tie with Kilkishen Celtic as they prevailed 2-1. Leon Daly opened the scoring before Jordan Downes’ strike gave Bridge a sufficient cushion to withstand a late fightback.
A thrilling 4-3 win over Newmarket Celtic B got them off the mark in the competition as Paul Corry netted the decisive goal to see his side through.
