D&D: McAlinden Cup '˜semi-finals' dominate weekend fixture list

Park Barr will be favourites in the first ‘semi’ as they meet Lisahally at St. Columb’s Park but the second last four clash between Top of The Hill Celtic and Don Bosco’s looks very tight.

In the Premier Division, there is Section One action as Trojans meet Brandywell Harps while, in Section Two, Oxford take on Tristar and Phoenix host Culmore.

Devlin Motors McAlinden Cup

Semi-finals

Lisahally v Park Bar (St Columbs 3)

Lisahally have won their last four games but this clash against high flying Premier Division leaders Park Bar will be a big step up and one that needs ‘Spike’ Doherty to get out as strong a team as possible. Lisahally have lost out twice to Park so far this season in the league and in the Terry Kelly Cup but they will be hoping for ‘third time lucky’ on Sunday. Colm Cassidy’s side lost out in the final of this trophy last year so he will be keen to pick it up this time around.

Park bar to win.

Top of the Hill Celtic v Don Bosco’s (Showgrounds)

This tie is a repeat of the Terry Kelly Cup final when Celtic secured a narrow win over a young Don Bosco’s side. With the league title already gone, Colm Logue will be hoping to add this trophy and the City Cabs Cup to the Waterside men’s haul. Bosco’s surprised Brandywell Harps in this cup last Sunday so Top of the Hill have been warned. Mark Mukendi and Paul Moore were among the goals in that win and are sure to trouble Celtic on Sunday.

A close tie looks likely with Celtic tipped to win it, just.

Premier Division, Section one

Trojans v Brandywell harps (Prehen 1)

Trojans sit second in this Section, six points behind leaders Park Bar so Daryl McDermott knows a defeat here would all but end any slim chance they have of the title. Harps lost out in a cup tie last week so Liam Deery will have to try and get his team lifted for this clash. They can still finish as runners up but they simply have to win here.

Trojans to win.

Section two

Oxford v Tristar (Swilly)

Oxford sit joint top of this section but suffered a heavy defeat last Sunday and they continue to leak goals. Phil Devlin’s side put five past Tristar first time round but are unlikely to repeat that score on Sunday. Tristar simply have to win to stay in contention to top this section,and will have to do it without Mark Ruddy who suffered a bad injury last week.

Tristar to win.

Phoenix v Culmore (Lisnagelvin 2)

These two sides sit joint bottom but cant be ruled out of picking up this trophy. Christy McGeehan’s team are going through a bad patch at present but this clash gives them the chance of a much needed victory. Culmore have not won a game since January but, like Phoenix, they too will believe they can do so on Sunday.

A Phoenix win looks likely.