Published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2009 4:00pm

Athlone sides handed away ties in FAI Junior Cup

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THE draw for the fifth round of the FAI Umbro Junior Cup has thrown up away ties for the two remaining Athlone teams.

Willow Park - seen by many as Athlone's leading contenders to emulate St Peter's great run to the final of the competition last year - must play fellow Combined Counties Senior Division outfit Portlaoise in the fourth round, before then hosting either Everton or Knocklyon (both from Dublin) in the fifth round.

Melville Utd, meanwhile, are still at the third round stage where they are due to face Crettyard in the coming weeks, before then contemplating the challenge of Castle Villa in the fourth round. Only then will they be able to concentrate on a fifth round clash against Portmarnock, Corduff or Sheriff.

The fifth round ties are due to be played on January 9 and 10.

St Peter's, who were knocked out of this year's competition at the first hurdle by Willow Park, memorably reached the final of last year's FAI Junior Cup before losing the decider to Ballymun Utd.

As well as eliminating St Peter's in the opening round, Willow Park have since knocked out Mullingar Athletic and Clara Town, and will be highly fancied by many to go much further in this competition.