Defining week for double-chasing Avenue Utd

WITHIN the space of five days, Avenue Utd will know if their bid to win back-toback League and Cup titles is alive or dead, ending up empty-handed is not an option according to their manager David Russell.

Such a timeframe may sound similar because it was exactly the case last season. They defeated Newmarket Celtic in the Cup final scuppering their rivals’ hopes for an unprecedented ten in a row on the Saturday while the following Wednesday, they were crowned League champions after a stunning Dylan Casey volley earned them a draw with Celtic.

This Saturday they meet Lifford FC in the Ennis Carpets Cup final and renew acquaintances with Newmarket on Wednesday where an Avenue win would see a play-off determine who wins the Premier Division. “As we stand now, we are on track to retain the titles, the cup and the league, it is in our hands.

"The last game with Newmarket has to be played. If we didn’t win them, personally it would be a massive disappointment. I took over this to win trophies for Avenue, if we came out of this season empty handed it is a massive disappointment and it would be a failure in my eyes,” Russell told The Clare Echo

At the outset of the season, Avenue targeted retaining both titles but also wanted to progress further in the FAI and Munster Junior Cups. “The progression in the FAI didn’t happen and the biggest regret is that we didn’t push on at 1-0 up in the Colga game, in extra time had a man up and had three chances but didn’t do it, that to me is a huge disappointment”.

That defeat on a penalty shootout (3-1) in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup to Colga FC has left scars within the Avenue ranks. “It is a massive regret that we didn’t progress and then looking at our near neighbours going on to do a massive achievement, it is a bitter pill to swallow but at the same time you have to tip your hat to Newmarket for doing what they have done”.

This disappointment has also strengthened Russell’s determination with the Clarecastle native already on board to manage Avenue next year for a fifth season.

"Newmarket winning it for the first time and becoming the first Clare club to do it; it drives me on more as an Avenue manager to progress even more next year”.

Within an hour of Newmarket winning the FAI Cup, Russell sent out a text to all his players, saying he hoped "it would drive every one of you on to further yourselves better in the rest of the season, the off-season and the start of next season to aspire to be national champions like they’ve done".

Mention of tipping his hat to Newmarket brings with it the reminder that the Avenue stalwart was sporting a red and white wooly hat at Celtic’s win over Regional Utd in the FAI, he is quick to confirm that it wasn’t a Newmarket hat. “I don’t overly colour co-ordinate my clothes as Siobhan would tell you, I just pull the first thing that comes out, as it happened it was red and white so that’s life”.

Not alone did David become the first person in Avenue Utd’s history to captain and manage the club to a Premier Division and Clare Cup double but he is also credited by players with helping to de-escalate politics within the club regarding the A and B teams.

Russell notes, “Eamon (O’Reilly) was a good appointment, he’s been involved with the club for years and he knows the importance of marrying together an A and a B squad, it has worked very well this year. It was a couple of weeks of disharmony about two years ago which left a sour taste in the mouth for a lot of people”.

O’Reilly was part of Russell’s management last year, he has been replaced by former CDSL Chairman, Oliver Fitzpatrick. “As quite as he is, Oliver has a serious opin- ion, he is very astute, he is a great man to know the rules and regulations but a great man to read the game without being overly vocal.

Both Russell and Davy O’Grady lined out side by side at centre midfield when Avenue won the Clare Cup in 2000, they’re still side by side but in a different capacity.

“He won two Munster Juniors and an FAI with Pike Rovers, he has played at the highest level and reminds us on a weekly basis that he has won an FAI medal, he isn’t slow for a comment or two but another quiet man who knows the game inside out and is well respected by the lads”.

Saturday’s Cup final pits Avenue against Lifford which the ex-Éire Óg footballer labels as “a good town rivalry which is a novel pairing, it’s been 28 years since we met in a final, it is something to look forward to for the neutral and the lads around town”.

Though the day job is with Signature Flight Sport in Shannon where he has been for twenty one years, David notes that the role of Avenue Utd manager is “all consuming”.

He outlined, “I’ve pieces of paper, team sheets, tactics and boards all over the house, all the burst soccer balls are in the front garden, all the gear is in the shed, it is a full-time job but I wouldn’t have it any other way, Siobhan would tell you I’m a control freak and need to have everything in order and in control of everything”.

As regards personnel, Conor Mullen is ruled out with injury while they have been without Cian O’Dea and Alan Roche all season while Stephen Talty who was a new signing is no longer part of their squad.

Squad depth and fitness were referenced by the Avenue boss on their way to the double last season. That depth has been evident with Dylan Barry stepping up to the plate at centre half in the absence of the experienced Mullen.

“You’re never going to keep everybody happy, down through the years when Newmarket were winning doubles they had 20 or 24 on their squad and you’d be thinking how could they keep everybody happy, you can’t, we had 19 togged out this morning, three lads were extremely disappointed not to get a run, they train as hard as the first 15 that have come on so you’re trying to justify and explain to them, give the reasons.

"We’ve great talent on the line like Philip Talty and Stephen Jordan who is back from injury, Gary Roche is back from holidays, Vinny is an elusive winger who has had his chance and is coming in and out, young Calum Barrett is another great player, they are all great players but they just need to bide their time and take their chance”.

Looking at the future of the Roslevan based club, Russell noted, “there’s very serious talent coming through, Paulie Roche keeps me informed on the 15s, 16s and 17s, they were beaten in a Cup final by Bridge Celtic on Saturday, the future is bright because we’re getting to finals and the underage academy is booming, I would hold no fears for the future coming up for Avenue”.