MAXIE SWAIN JAY: WE NEED OUR CUP FORM IN THE LEAGUE

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JAY DONNAN admits Crumlin United’s league form is a major worry despite the club’s sparkling performances in the cups this season.

The 39-year-old striker helped himself to a double hat-trick just over a fortnight ago when the Mill Road outfit romped to a 10-0 victory over Agape in the Clarence Cup.

And Ciaran Caldwell’s men backed that up with another solid showing on Saturday as their Premier League rivals Ards Rangers were condemned to a second round exit in their own backyard after goals from Andrew Mooney and Marty Cunningham.

Donnan admits the Clarence Cup and the Match Intermediate Cup, where United host Crewe United in the third round this weekend, are realistic targets for his club.

But he says of more pressing concern is getting points on the board in the league, with Crumlin currently languishing in the drop zone with just three wins from 11 outings.

The one silver lining, however, is the fact Donnan and co have still to play all the teams down around them at the bottom of the Premier Division, with those headto-heads sure to have a significant bearing on the final standings.

“It’s frustrating for us, it’s just a lack of consistency and the whole club is rebuilding because Paddy Kelly’s [Caldwell’s predecessor as manager] are big shoes to fill,” said Donnan. “But we believe in ourselves and we have six games in hand on some of the teams around us and I think if we win one league match, we jump about five places.

“So it could be worse for us, and we’ve to play Derriaghy twice, Downpatrick once and Albert Foundry.

“We’ve to play everybody right around us so it’s more in our hands but you’d rather have the points than having to go and play them.”

On a personal front Donnan, a beaten Steel Cup finalist with Knockbreda back in 2010, has enjoyed a productive season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions and hopes his club can make the most of their good form in the cups. “Saturday was a good win after coming off that East Belfast defeat [an 8-1 loss in the league],” said Donnan.

“We just knew it after Tuesday and Thursday.

“We haven’t had a proper squad all season but this week Ciaran (circled) had probably five players who could have gone with the firsts who went with the seconds, so it was good.

“With a full squad, we feel we can beat anybody, but it’s getting a full squad.

“We seem to be a cup team this year, we just can’t get a win in the league.

“But we are still in the Clarence and the Intermediate and they are both possible for us.”

LIAM HUNTER says Tullymore Swifts are braced for a typically bruising and fullblooded derby when they renew rivalries with Newhill in the Junior Shield this weekend.The two West Belfast sides know each other well from their tussles down the years in the Belfast & District, before Hunter’s men moved into the Amateur League at the beginning of the season.The Black’s Road outfit have excelled in their new surroundings too, losing just once in 2C as they hunt down promotion in their maiden campaign.To that end, Hunter reckons league leaders Beann Mhadaghain, the only team to beat them this year, are the favourites, with St Matthew’s in second place also bang in contention.But with the Junior Shield up next, league matters can wait.This weekend, Tullymore host Newhill who are based just a stone’s throw away in Poleglass, with Hunter adamant his team know exactly what’s at stake - not just a place in the quarter-finals but local pride as well. “Getting this far is an added bonus for us,” said Hunter, who led Plunkett to the 2A title five seasons ago.“Newhill are a good side and they are going well in the league, and teams like them against us, it will always be close, the only difference is we are now in the Amateur League and they are in the Belfast & District.“By all accounts, they are telling people they are happy enough with the draw and are confident of beating us.“But as I told the players after beating UUJ, we are on a great run so we’ll take every game as it comes.“But Newhill will be looking at this as a great opportunity for them, and vice versa for us, and I’m very confident going into the game on Saturday.”Tullymore are on a six-game winning streak, a run which includes Clarence Cup wins over 2A duo Ford and Jordanstown on Saturday.And on the league front, the club have been equally impressive, with just that one defeat to Ben Mads.Hunter has brought in reinforcements since that reverse back in November, however, and feels his club are in great shape to hunt down the top two.“We’ve only been beaten this season in the league by Beann Mhadaghain who are a smashing side, so all credit to them,” said Hunter.“They are the team at the minute, and St Matthew’s are flying as well.“But we have recruited a lot of players since that match so we’re looking really strong.“Getting into the Amateur League was a big bonus for this club and for the committee and everyone who tried so hard to push us forward.“And we’re enjoying it and now we have to push on. The second team is top of the league and the first team are pushing on.“I’ve always told these players they are as good as anybody, but they have to prove it week in, week out and the only way to do that is to be consistent.“I set them a goal this year to be in the top three, and now we are in the top three, we have to push on again.”