Junior Cup Round 4 Preview
January 04, 2019
Tomorrow sees the remaining 8 Fermanagh and Western Football League clubs taking part in the 4th Round of this year’s Junior Cup.
The holders for the past 2 seasons, Enniskillen Rangers take the long journey to Belfast side Beann Mhadaghain, in what could be their hardest match in several years in the competition. The west Belfast side have a 100% record this season and have been hammering teams all season since they joined the Amateur League last summer. Michael Kerr’s side will need to be at their very best to come through this tricky tie.
Enniskillen Town United host Bessbrook United at the Lakeland Forum in what should be a close match. Both sides have excellent pedigree in this competition and are used to getting to the later stages. Home advantage could be the key for Town, who on their day are a match for any side left in the competition.
There is an all F & W Division tie at Donnelly’s Holm in Omagh, where Strule United take on Tummery Athletic. Based on league form Tummery should have the edge in this match but Niall McAleer’s side should take heart after their excellent victory over NFC Kesh before Christmas. This should be a finely balance match which could go either way.
Irvinestown Wanderers welcome south Belfast side Rosario YC II to the Bawnacre. Wanderers have been in excellent form as of late and with all their GAA players now available they will be expected to cruise into the next round against the intermediate Rosario’s 2nd string.
Strathroy Harps also play host to an intermediate club’s 2nd string in the form of mid ulster side Dollingstown Reserves. Harps have an excellent history in this competition and it will be hot favourites to progress.
NFC Kesh have an extreme tough match against St Oliver Plunketts from Belfast, who are one of the top junior clubs in the city with an excellent youth system feeding into the senior ranks. With home advantage the men from Kesh will be hoping for a large support to help them to get the victory in what should be an excellent game of football.
The only division 2 side left in the competition, Omagh Hospital travel to Finaghy outside Belfast as outsiders against one of the leading junior sides in the Amateur League. The Omagh men who defeated a good Newry Celtic side in the last round should be confident of causing an upset as they have been in top form as of late.