Avenue United manager David Russell doesn’t mince his words. He wants silverware, preferably both the Premier Division and Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup.
With his side coming up against Newmarket Celtic in an eagerly awaited Banner Carpets and Flooring Clare Cup final tomorrow, the possibility of a domestic double looms large for both these outfits.
Avenue United lie two points clear of Newmarket Celtic in the Premier Division. The sides meet in the final game of the season next Wednesday with a draw enough to see Avenue crowned league champions.
However, Newmarket Celtic are the current holders in both the league and cup as they will certainly be in no mood to give up either piece of silverware without a fight.
Russell feels that his side need to win silverware if his current tenure in charge of the club is going to be regarded as a success.
“I said I’d give it three years and see how things stand after that. I’m in my third season now. The last two years have been eye opening as there is so much involved. There is a great buzz with management but we need to start winning titles now.”
“Bill Shankly once said if you come second you come nowhere. If we don’t win anything during my three seasons in charge it will be a failure.”
“Everything has been going very well so we will just focus on the next game in front of us, like we have all season.”
Star striker Elias Kunz (bruised foot) and Thomas Hehir (hamstring) are expected to be available for this Saturday’s blockbuster showdown. In what is a huge boost to their cause, Ronan Kerin was to return from the Lebanon last night (Wednesday) and is set to be available for selection.
One of the narratives heading in to this Cup final is the possible passing of the guard from Newmarket to Avenue. However, Russell has heard this story before with the ending usually resulting in the reigning champions finding a way to stay on top of their throne.
“That’s the talk but Newmarket have managed to keep it going. Paddy Purcell, Eoin Hayes, Eoin Kelly, these guys deserve huge respect for what they’ve done. They are the champions in the league and Cup so we know we have a big task on our hands.”
“We’ve finished second to them the last two years. To be going for 10 (Cups) in a row is unprecedented. You have to take your hat off to them.”
With Avenue having finished comfortably behind Newmarket Celtic in the past two Premier Division campaigns, they now lie two points ahead of their nearest rivals. So, what has been different so far this season?
“I think it purely comes down to strength and depth. Elias Kunz has over 30 goals for us this seasons. Stephen Jordan has been a great supplier of the ball. Dylan Barry has been brought in and has really strengthened our panel.”
“We didn’t have strength in depth before. We have been trying to marry and manage 20 players with positive egos who all want to be playing. We are where we want to be with the squad but it’s a results business. We need to win trophies now.”
Avenue started back pre season training 11 months ago with the uncertainty around Covid dominating the discourse during 2021.
Throw in a run to the Last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup and progression to the same stage of the Munster Junior Cup, and it has certainly been a long season for the Ennis based club.
They have also played a League Cup final, losing to Newmarket in that, while trying to maintain their title push.
The former Avenue defender refutes any possibility of his side possibly being fatigued ahead of a huge week for the club.
“We have 11 months done and I’ve kept detailed notes on attendances at training so we know what the lads have been doing. We’ve had massive numbers at training all season. We have picked and choosed when to go heavy and when to give time off.”
“There is no issue with fatigue. We will train twice this week as usual. The work has been done. We won’t get any fitter.”
Russell captained Avenue to the league and cup double in 2010. He and assistant David O’Grady both lined out for the club in that historic season.
The 45-year-old believes that if his side could achieve the same feat, this season can be used as a springboard for the future.
“We definitely know that the time is now. Sport is cyclical. They are going for 10 in a row and have won a lot of leagues so their era of dominance probably won’t be seen again.
“Anybody with the expectation of winning the Clare Cup will have to beat Newmarket so it’s up to us now.”
“We have built a lovely squad so it’s time to drive on now. Winning silverware would be the building blocks for the future.”