AUL: Munster Junior Cup action takes centre stage

THIS weekend will feature action from the Munster Junior Cup as well as some exciting league fixtures thrown in to whet the appetite over the next couple of days.

Then, there is just one isolated fixture in the AOH Cup lined up on Sunday morning when Shandon Celtic play host to Hibernians at Popham’s Road at 10.45am.

Although these two operate out of League 1, they have yet to meet in a league encounter, but Shandon are leaders of this group and will be favourites to edge this one to advance to the second round.

But it all begins tonight when Los Zarcos make Banteer all-weather their home ground as they face Croatia Fermoy from the Business League to battle for a place in the fourth round of the Munster Junior Shield at 7.45pm.

Although Los Zarcos will be facing into the unknown, they have been showing very good form in their games to date and tonight, I would expect them to have enough in the tank to get the better of their opponents from the business league.

On to Saturday’s action now and Watergrasshill United will be turning their attention to the second round of the Munster Junior Shield after winning that epic FAI Junior Cup battle with Castleview last Saturday and will face Coachford B at Skehanagh where they will be red hot favourites to advance here.

In the third round of the Munster Junior Shield, Richmond will be at home to Business League side Frame Up and should book their place to the fourth round.

In the third round of the Munster Junior Cup there are three exciting ties to look forward to.

Castleview, leaders of Premier A will face Premier side City Wanderers in what should be a very close tie indeed. A hard one to call and may have to go to penalties before we see a winner emerge.

My trip will take me to Silverheights where I am expecting to see a cracking tie between Village United and Knocknaheeny Celtic.

With so many attack-minded players on both sides, this one should really be an open and exciting affair. A fourth-round spot awaits the winner.

UCC have so far taken the Premiership by storm with a young fit side who will certainly be a handful for any team in this section.

Tomorrow they will make tracks to the Glebe to take on Coachford A and really with the form they are in, I am expecting them to advance to the fourth-round stage of the Munster Junior Cup.

There’s just one Premier clash lined up for tomorrow which will be a bottom-of-the-table clash between Corkbeg and Glenthorn Celtic at St. Aidan’s School.

Of the two, Corkbeg will be fancied to edge this one, but either way, three points here is essential for whoever wins.

In League 3, leaders Rathcormac will be favourites to take the points when they lock horns with Greenwood B at home.

FIRST

On to Sunday now and in a first-round tie of the AOH Cup at Popham’s Road, Shandon Celtic will face Hibernians.

These two operate out of League 1 but have never met yet this season.

Shandon are the leaders of League 1 and will be favourites here to advance to the second-round stage, but Hibs will not be an easy opponent to overcome.

In Premier League action, Springfield will have to dust themselves down after their defeat against UCC last weekend and will certainly need to be prepared to face a Grattan United side that will be hungry for a victory on Sunday morning.

In League 2, there are three encounters to look forward to.

Boscos will be looking to strengthen their points tally and will fancy themselves against Rylane Celtic away in the Rylane Community Centre.

Mogeely FC will take to the road also when they head for the Fairfield – expecting to come away with a win here against Parkview Celtic.

But, up in O’Neill Park, we could have a closer affair when Grattan B and Churchvilla come together in a game that could see both sides sharing the points.

Finally, at Ballyanley, Strand B will be fancying themselves to get the better of basement side Castlebridge Celtic.