AUL preview: Places in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup up for grabs

THE coming weekend’s action sees eight sides from the AUL challenge for places in the third round of the FAI Junior Cup while others battle for essential points across the various divisions.

And what a busy Friday evening of action is lined up as Premier side Coachford make the trip to O’Shea Park to lock horns with Blarney United to challenge for a place in the third round of the FAI Junior cup (7.45pm) while Springfield do likewise when they take to the road to take on Lakewood Athletic in Ovens at 8pm.

Then, in Premier league action, City Wanderers will play host to Village United, aiming to secure their first league win of the season under their belt at the MTU (8pm).

In Premier A league action, basement side CFC Banteer will play host to Strand A for their clash at 8pm.

CFC Banteer will be hungry to get their first league victory chalked up.

On to Saturday now and in FAI Junior Cup second round action, there are four ties on the agenda.

Glenthorn Celtic will face into the unknown when they take on Ash FC at St. Aidan’s for their second-round clash and down in Little Island, Grangevale will be expected to advance with a win here against Leeside.

Waterloo will play host to MSL side Midleton, hoping to produce a good enough performance to see them advance, but this one will be a difficult fixture for them.

Then, down in Whitegate, two Premier sides will lock horns in the shape of Corkbeg and Grattan United.

I expect this one to be a lively cup tie with Grattan the slight favourites to advance here.

In Premier A action, Cathedral Celtic will travel across the city to Leghanamore where they will be fancied to take the points against Greenwood A.

In League 1, Blackstone Rovers will be going all out to make it their first league win when they take on fellow strugglers Rathcoole Rovers who are also waiting to win a league game this season.

In League 2, Churchvilla will be expected to mount the pressure on leaders Bweeng Celtic with a win against Rylane Celtic.

In League 3, there are two games on the agenda with Castlebridge Celtic playing host to neighbours Rathcormac who will be going all out to chalk up three more points which would cement their place at the helm of this division.

But, second place Boher Celtic will be going all out to keep the pressure on leaders Rathcormac by aiming to get the better of Strand B at Boher Park.

On to Sunday now and for me, it will be a trip to Kilmore Road to catch the Knocknaheeny Celtic v Donoughmore Henry Healy Premier A cup tie at 10.45am.

These two met in the league at the Banteer all-weather facility a couple of weeks back when Donoughmore got the better of Knocknaheeny Celtic 4-2 that day, but in Kilmore Road, it will be a different game although I am expecting a fairly tight affair here.

In FAI Junior Cup second round action, UCC will play host to Ballinhassig at the Farm and right now, the students are in decent enough form to win this one.

Parkview Celtic will travel to Avondale Park and will need to turn their recent run of poor results around if they are to get a result here.

In League 1, Blackpool Celtic will play host to Hibernians and if you are looking at recent league form here to make a call, I guess it would be Blackpool for the win.

On to League 2 now and at O’Neill Park, Grattan United B could make a move up the table if they can manage a win against a youthful Mogeely FC side that cannot be underestimated.

In League 3, there are two games on the agenda here as Harp Celtic makes the short trip to Leghanamore to take on neighbours Greenwood B – Harp Celtic to secure the points here.

Finally, third place Kilbrittain Rovers will play host to Coachford B and will need to go all out for victory here if they are to keep in touch with the top two – Boher Celtic and Rathcormac FC.