This article is from page 80 of the 2009-01-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 80 JPG
THE draw for this year’s Prego Menswear Clare Cup was made in Shannon last night with only half of the Premier Division sides avoid- ing tricky first round ties. The draw, which took place in the sponsors’ retail unit in the Skycourt Shopping Centre, attracted a sizeable crowd as all 40 league teams were placed in the hat for the pairing of the first two rounds. Newmarket Celtic, Rinean- na Rovers, Burren Utd, Lifford and Corofin Harps all were drawn put in Round one but crucially avoided each other.
The tie that raised the biggest reac- tion from the crowd was the second round meeting of Premier Division title rivals Avenue Utd and Bunratty, the only guaranteed all-Premier en- counter. Ennis side Avenue were the 2007 champions while four times champions and last year’s finalists Bunratty are currently flying high at the top of the league so one major power has to fall here.
Current holders Rock Rovers, who are currently top of the First Division received a bye to the second round and have to wait to see who will emerge from the pairing of Third Division outfit Corofin B and Second Divison side Manus Celtic A.
There are also potential second round Premier Division ties between Moher Celtic and Lifford A, who first have to see off the challenge of current Third Division leaders Bun- ratty B while last year’s Premier D1- vision champions Newmarket Celtic will have to overcome First Divison strugglers Kilrush Rangers if they are to set up a local derby against Sixmulebridge side Bridge Utd.
Round one fixtures are due to be played on the first Sunday in Febru- ary with the second round scheduled to take place over two weekends on February 15 and 22.