Preview of Round 3 of the fonaCAB Irish Junior Cup
November 20, 2019
The 9 remaining Fermanagh and Western teams left in this seasons fonaCAB Irish Junior Cup take to the field this weekend. There will be at least 2 F & W clubs in the hat for the next round due to two all F & W ties, the Omagh derby - Dunbreen Rovers v Strathroy Harps and the all Division 1 tie Dergview Reserves v NFC Kesh.
Strathroy Harps will be strong favourites to go through against their neighbours Dunbreen Rovers, having hit a run of good form recently, with ex-Dunbreen Rovers forward Niall McCaffrey amongst the goals. The other all F&W ties is a closer match to call with both sides having a mixed season so far, earlier in the season NFC Kesh and Dergview Reserves played out a 1-1 draw. A similar tight affair is expected this saturday.
Holders Enniskillen Rangers have a very tricky away trip to Caledon Rovers, the current league leaders in Division 1 of the Mid Ulster League (MUL). Michael Kerr's side will need to be in top form to get pass the unbeaten Tyrone side, who have several dangerous attackers within their ranks. There is another F&W v MUL tie at the Lakeland Forum, where two previous winners of the competition take on each other, Enniskillen Town United and Lurgan based side Derryhirk United. Town have been the form side in the F&W this season having made several great signings over the summer and in their 50th Anniversary Year they will be gunning to win all competitions this seasons. They should have too much for their visitors who have had a mixed season going on league results.
Irvinestown Wanderers make the long journey to Cloughmills to take on Ballymena Saturday Morning League(BSML) side Clough Rangers. Any side from Division 1 of the BSML have to be taken serious but with the end of the GAA season Irvinestown Wanderers are now back to full strength and should have enough to go through in this tricky tie.
Ardstraw Reserves produced the shock of Round 2, when they defeated last seasons finalist Tummery Athletic 3-2 and they will need a similar performance if they wish to advance against belfast side Immaculata II, who defeated in form F&W side Orchard Farm in the last round. With home advantage the youthful Ardstraw side are well capable of progressing to the next round.
The side with the toughest tie this weekend is without doubt Magheraveely, who take on last season semi finalist Willowbank FC, from West Belfast. After winning the treble for the last two season within the Northern Amateur league, the Junior Cup is the only trophy to elude the Falls Road men and they will be desperate to get their hands on the trophy after going so close last season. This season they have continued their impressive form winning all their games, scoring an average of 7 goals per game and are many peoples favourites for the trophy. Magheraveely themselves have been playing well this season and produced an excellent 8-0 victory away to leading Coleraine side Aghadowney in the last round. With home field advantage in Clones the south fermanagh men will not fear anyone and with a talented squad they are well capable of producing a shock against Willowbank.
Best of luck to all our sides this weekend.