Lack of variety hits USL teams in Intermediate Cup - Gavin Cullen

Gavin Cullen feels that the lack of variety in domestic competitions inhibits Ulster Senior League teams on the FAI Intermediate Cup stage.

Cullen takes his Cockhill Celtic to Cork this weekend to face eight-time Intermediate Cup winners Avondale United on Sunday.

The USL's very existence continues to dangle by a thread with the withdrawal of Monaghan United – after just one season – in the autumn leaving only five teams competing.

“There's no doubt that affects us,” Cullen told Donegal Live.

“The Ulster Senior League is strong in terms of the competitive nature of who you're playing.

Castlefin Celtic travel to Limerick’s Ballynanty Rovers

Raymond Foy brings his Castlefin Celtic side south to Limerick's Ballynanty Rovers as they go in search of a spot in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup

“The teams in it are good sides and there is never an easy game, but it's the repetitive nature of it that is a problem.

“We don't get the same variety of tests that Avondale would get in Munster. We find that Munster and Leinster have a little edge on us because of that.

“In my seven years as manager and three before that as a player, I have yet to see a team that much better than us.”

Cullen firmly believes he has one of the strongest intermediate squads in the country.

Last season, Cockhill reached the quarter-finals, losing 3-1 to Bluebell, while Bonagee United lost 1-0 to Rockmount in the last eight.

Cockill have added striker Luke Rudden from Finn Harps. Sickness forced Rudden off at half-time in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Bonagee.

While Corey McBride has emigrated to Australia, Cullen hopes that Garbhan Friel can shake off an ankle injury to feature while Peter Doherty will return from suspension.

Cullen said: “I am planning to have a full-strength squad. I will have headaches.”

Champions nine seasons in a row in the USL, Cockill remain firmly in the hunt for ten-in-a-row.

On Sunday, Stephen Duffy struck a last-minute equaliser as Cockhill grabbed a dramatic point at Bonagee, who remain two points clear with a game in hand.

Cullen said: “With our team in transition – the average age of the starting eleven was 22 – you wonder if the young players have the character.

“They showed that they do have it. The young lads are making a big impact.

“We went to Bonagee to win the game. We're disappointed not to have won it, but when you score in the last minute to equalise, you'll take it all day long.

“As a spectacle, it was crap, let's be honest. The pitch was terrible so it was never going to be a great game. We had to dig deep and battle.”

Avondale, once the bane of the Intermediate Cup hopes of Fanad United and Kildrum Tigers, last won the Intermediate Cup in 2019 and Cullen is under no illusions about what awaits at Avondale Park.

He said:“When you get to this level, you'll always be tested. The fact that we're away from home means it's a bigger test.

“We believe in ourselves and it'll take a fine side to beat us. No matter what, we'll always be in the game.”