It's Crystal clear that Drinagh Rangers will need to bring their A-game to Waterford this Saturday if they want to qualify for the last 16 of the Munster Junior Cup.
IT’S Crystal clear that Drinagh Rangers will need to bring their A-game to Waterford this Saturday if they want to qualify for the last 16 of the Munster Junior Cup.
The West Cork League’s last remaining team in the competition takes on Waterford Crystal in round four of the competition and Drinagh manager Don Hurley feels his side can surprise the home side.
‘We’ve been in good form this season and we’re still unbeaten so we’re heading into Saturday’s game full of confidence,’ Hurley said.
‘If we play well and up to the standard I know we can then we’ll give a good account of ourselves.
‘We’re after eight wins and three draws in the Premier Division and we’re five points off Dunmanway Town but we do have a game in hand and we’re in round two of the Beamish Cup so we still have a lot to play for this season.’
Drinagh beat East Village 6-0 in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup before seeing off Avondale United on penalties in round two after the game had finished 2-2, and in the third round Drinagh beat Abtran FC 4-0.
Currently second in the Premier Division, Drinagh warmed up for this tie with a resounding 7-0 league win against Bunratty last weekend, with Barry O’Driscoll (H) helping himself to five goals. Liam Cahalane is the new goalkeeper between the posts for Drinagh this season and he has big a major plus in a defence that has the best goals conceded record in the three West Cork Leagues, letting in only nine in 11 games.
The centre back pairing of JJ Collins and Barry O’Driscoll (T) have also been in fine form this season, as has midfielder Jamie Walsh and both Barry O’Driscoll (H) and Keith Jagoe, who has weighed in with a lot of goals in the league.
‘We reached the semi-final of the Munster Junior Cup in 2007 and a few years ago we got to the last 32 where we lost 1-0 to Tralee Dynamos – but if we play well on Saturday, we have a chance to getting to the last 16,’ Hurley said.
‘It’s always a nice challenge to play a team you haven’t met before and to travel away from home, too. Waterford Crystal are a good side so we know how hard this is going to be.’
Waterford Crystal defeated St Saviours FC (4-3), Park Rangers (4-2) and Southend United on penalties in the Waterford second of this competition.
*****
Click here to sign up to our mailing list and get the best of West Cork delivered straight to your inbox.