Who is up for the Mulhern Cup?

MULHERN Cup football is back with a bang this weekend with 15 first round ties down for decision.

Due to Covid, the Fermanagh and Western’s premier cup competition didn’t take place last season so there will be an added focus on Saturday as 30 teams launch their bid for ultimate glory.Our resident soccer expert TOMMY NETHERY has cast his eye over the opening ties and offers a few pointers to which teams could be successful in securing a place in the second round.

Mountfield v Strathroy Harps
From a local perspective this is arguably the tie of the first round and Harps will start as slight favourites given their recent upturn in form and their pedigree in knockout football. Mind you when the sides met in a league encounter it was Paddy Doc’s team who emerged victorious by the odd goal. One goal either way could again be decisive.

Irvinestown Wanderers v Enniskillen Galaxy
Wanderers haven’t had their troubles to seek this season and after Saturday’s defeat to Omagh Hospitals will need to pull out all the stops if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation from Division One. Galaxy have had a decent campaign in Division Two and might just fancy causing an upset. Irvinestown should have enough to go through.

Ballinamallard United Res v St Pat’s
For teams playing in the Fermanagh and Western League, the Mallards second string will be a bit of an unknown quantity. Nevertheless they will start as firm favourites in this one, although, that may depend on which Pat’s team turns up. As far as the Derg side goes there is no middle ground – they are either dreadfully poor or red hot. Ducks should advance.

Omagh Hospitals v Lisbellaw Utd
What a difference a couple of weeks can make. Victories over Enniskillen Athletic and Irvinestown have hauled the Hossies out of the Division One relegation zone and they will be relishing this cup-tie against a team who are in decent form themselves and seemingly heading in the right direction. Hard to call this one.

Orchard Farm v Fintona Swifts
Both teams go into this game on the back of respective wins over Lisnaskea Rovers and Mountjoy United. One glance at the Division Two table tells you Farm are the underdogs but with the likes of Seamus Quigley in their ranks anything is possible. Fintona should have the edge but again might not be much in it at the final whistle.

Killen Rgrs v Dunbreen Rovers
Rangers have enjoyed a largely successful and consistent season in the top flight and they will view the Mulhern Cup as a last chance of silverware. Rovers have had a decent campaign in Division Three however it will be a major shock if Paddy McNulty’s outfit produce an upset at the Village Ground.

Drumquin United v Enniskillen Rangers
Jordan Dennison’s Drumquin have been in excellent form in the last two months or so and on their own patch will fancy giving 15-time winners Rangers a run for their money. Neil Coulter’s team will start odds on to secure a place in Round Two although it might not be as straightforward as they will hope.

Lisnaskea Rovers v Augher Stars
These teams are having contrastng seasons and it could be the case that next season they will have swapped divisions. Rovers are in danger of being relegated from Division Two while Johnny Winser’s Stars are well placed to gain promotion from the third tier. Augher will certainly relish this tie and you wouldn’t bet against them.

Castlederg United v Enniskillen Athletic
On paper Enniskillen Athletic will start as favourites on their visit to Castlederg’s Mitchell Park Their manager Anthony Fitzpatrick though has been around the block more than the once and he will have his players well warned against taking their opponents for granted. If the visitors don’t give United maximum respect they could end up with egg on their faces.

Fivemiletown United II v Beragh Swifts
Having being relegated from Division Two last weekend it’s hard to imagine that the Fivemiletown second string can bounce back by causing a shock against Beragh Swifts. Wes Ferguson’s Swifts haven’t exactly been ripping up any tres in the top flight this season but they still remain a force to be reckoned with and should advance.

Dergview Reserves v Enniskillen Town Utd
This is perhaps one of the most intriguing ties of the first round. In the league it’s been honours even this season with one victory apiece but on their last visit to Spamount it was Town who took the honours. The Enniskillen side are cup specialists and start as favourites. A numberof Collie Robinson’s players are cup-tied but his team would still possess enough quality to win this one should Town not be on top of their game.

Mountjoy United v Maguirebridge
When these teams met a few weeks back, David Rennie’s Mountjoy claimed the honours to maintain their bid for promotion from Division Two. Home advantage is another factor that will mean the smart money is going on the Lisnagirr Road outfit. Rennie will be hoping he gets a reaction from his players who were on the receiving end against Fintona last weekend.

Ardstraw Reserves v NFC Kesh
It’s hard to make any case for Ardstraw Reserves causing the mother of all shocks in this clash at Vaughan’s Holm. Kesh are overwhelming favourites and Scott Robinson’s team won’t be short of motivation either given that the Mulhern Cup represents their last opportunity to secure some much-needed silverware.

Magheraveely v Lisnarick
This all-Fermanagh clash should go the way of the home side even though the Division One outfit has failed to hit any great heights this season. Lisnarick will be buoyed by a couple of wins recently which included a 3-1 victory over Fivemiletown seconds last time out with goals from Andrew Browne, Peter Graham and Alan Gregg. Could be close.