Banner Flooring Clare Cup Rd 1
Sunday March 6th
Bridge Utd A v Newmarket Celtic B
Shannon Rd, 2pm, D. Shannon

Bridge United A are back in Clare Cup action this weekend. Again the opposition are neighbouring rivals, but this time a far sterner test will
be provided in the shape of Newmarket Celtic B.

Don't let the B team tag mislead you. Newmarket Celtic B are only plying their trade in Clare's First Division as a result of their A team occupying the sole representative spot each club can hold per division.

They've been denied promotion on numerous occasions as a result of this ruling and have even made it to the final of this Cup competition when they took part in an all Newmarket affair when they faced their A team compatriots in the 2019 decider.

The Bridge however will still carry the favourites tag and will be bolstered by the return of Darren Murphy and Liam Buckey. Both had been ruled out of action in last weekend's victory over Bunratty/ Cratloe.

Longterm casualty and team captain Storm Devanney remains sidelined with a knee injury. Alex Collins also misses out with work commitments with Cork GAA.

Team manager Mark Culbert has some selection headaches ahead of the weekend clash with the returning duo pushing hard for selection.

"Training has been going well, having watched them (Newmarket Celtic B) last weekend we know they're a very organised side and we'll need to be at our best to beat them" said Culbert following his side's last training session prior to Sunday's fixture.

Last weekend's victory spelled 4 wins on the bounce for the Bridge, Culbert is however concerned with late goal concessions to both Shannon Olympic and Bunratty/Cratloe recently. Big performances are needed from the likes of the experienced Dan Larkin and Alan Mulready at the heart of the defence.

With midfield maestro Adam Fitzpatrick starting to find his feet at adult level, Bridge look to him to be a key man this Sunday. His return from League of Ireland side Treaty Utd has coincided with an upturn in his team's form and his workrate in the midfield engine room will again be vital to ensure victory on Sunday.

Indeed Culbert's biggest decision may lay in picking his partner, with Stephen Stewart, Jonathan Downes, Enda Boyce and Conor Deasy, to name just a few who'll be pushing for a start.

Bridge will again look to fan's favourite Leon Daly for that creative spark in midfield. Since joining our Youth system a number of seasons back, his impact has been nothing short of sensational. Brian Corry, Kieran Quinlan and Jordan Downes will hope to be the chief goal getters to fire them through to the last 16.

Newmarket will travel to Shannon Rd with no real fears and will relish a cut off their neighbour's Premier outfit. Expect this one to be a tight and tense affair. Action gets underway at the later than usual time of 2pm.