Terry Kelly Cup semi-finals
PARK BAR v TOP OF THE HILL CELTIC
(at Brandywell Showgrounds)
In what would have been the dream final in the eyes of many, two of the best sides over the last few years in the D&D go head to head for a place in the Terry Kelly Cup Final.
Chasing the double, league champions Celtic are once again right in the mix for silverware, and as a side that fears no one, they will be fully confident of overcoming their rivals to reach another cup final.
They have the quality and the experience at their disposal to do just that.
Players such as Darren Harkin, Jason Blackburn and Colm Murray have done it all before, and they are just three of the names that could play a key part this weekend.
Colm Logue’s men may currently trail their opponents in the league, but their vast depth of squad could swing the pendulum in their favour in the coming weeks.
But Park Bar won’t be overawed going into this huge clash, and they have no reason to when you consider the fact they overcame Celtic in last year’s final.
The fact that they also currently lead the way in the race for the league title indicates that they are a side that mean business this season, and a victory here would be a huge statement of intent as they bid to have a memorable campaign of their own once again.
Many teams have tried to dispel Celtic’s dominance in recent years, and many have failed, but Park have shown on several occasions that they have what it takes to become the new top dogs in the D&D, and progression to another cup final will go along way towards any doubters wrong.
Prediction: Celtic to edge tight game.
OXFORD UNITED v DON BOSCOS
(at Brandywell)
A welcome distraction from the league, Oxford United and Don Boscos both have an opportunity to go one step further to leaving their mark on this D&D season.
Their form in the Terry Kelly Cup is quite a contrast to how they’ve performed in the league, but their march to the semi-finals in this competition shows that both teams can be a match for anyone on their day.
The build-up for Boscos going into this one could not have gone worse though.
Last weekend, they came up against Park Bar, a possible opponent if they were to reach the final, and completely fell apart.
With perhaps one eye already on this semi-final, they performed poorly and were sufficiently punished in a 6-1 defeat.
A vastly improved display is imperative on Sunday if they are to breath new life into their season, particularly in defence, where they have looked vulnerable on far too many occasions this season.
Oxford performed much better than their opponents on Sunday last time out, with a hard earned 1-1 draw against Brandywell Harps.
They showed good character to take a point from that game, but it is their struggles for wins this season that has left them marooned at the wrong end of the table.
They will be hoping their league form will become insignificant come kick off time on Sunday though, and reaching the cup final alone would be a terrific achievement for the club.
Prediction: Boscos to reach final.
Premier Division
CULMORE v LISAHALLY
(at Culmore)
It’s safe to say that Culmore have had a dismal start to the season, and they are showing signs that they could really struggle if they don’t turn the corner sooner rather than later.
Their main problem has been their lack of threat in front of goal, having only found the net six times in the seven matches they have played so far.
That statistic simply has to improve if they are to move away from the bottom of the table in the coming weeks.
Their opponents this weekend will also be disappointed with their form so far, and Lisahally will know that they are a better side than what their league position suggests.
They have enough troubles of their own off the pitch, having failed to field a team for the scheduled clash with Top of the Hill Celtic last weekend, so in their return to action It is vital they avoid defeat here, otherwise they will soon be in danger of hitting rock bottom in the table themselves.
Prediction: Culmore to battle for a point.