Galway Advertiser 1990/1990_04_26/GA_26041990_E1_021.pdf 

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The Connacht senior rugby season concludes on Sunday with the finals of the Senior Cup between Corinthians and Athlone at the Sports ground (3p.m.). It is perhaps appropriate that these two teams, which have both won selec tion to next year's new AllIreland league, should con test this final. Despite being the most consistent sides in Con nacht over the last three years, both have had an in different league season this year. The major fly in the ointment was Galwegians, who took the championship and much of the attention from these two clubs. Athlone have had an easier path to the final. They easily defeated a poor Sligo side at Strandhill by 37 - 3 in the first round, but only accounted for Ballinasloe by 12 - 6 on penalties in the semi-final. Corinthians were forced to play cup holders U.C.G. twice, having failed the first time on their own grounds to secure their semi-final place. That se cond chance was perhaps the turning point for Cor inthians, who started to find their form and rhythm having spent the league without a consistent

Connacht Cup Decider Corinthians v Athlone
backline. Despite Creggs shock win over Galwegians, Cor inthians semi-final contest with the junior side was not the hotly contested bat tle many predicted. Only as good as their opposition, Corinthians took 45 minutes to settle their game and their superior form against the wind.

Under-dogs
While Athlone will face this final as underdogs, they must be be contented knowing they held Corin thians to a draw in the final League match this season. And the last time these two teams met in a Cup final was in 1988 when Corinthians won the match by one point after Derek Holland kicked a penalty from inside his own half in injury time. Corinthians have a much stronger record go ing into Sunday's game, but Athlone will be just as determined to bridge a 13 year gap since they last won the Cup in 1977. The Sportsground has never been a winning arena for Athlone who have con tested five finals in the eighties without victory. Having failed in two finals this year in their junior

ranks, Athlone will be wanting at least one title for 1989/90 season. Weather is likely to play some part on Sunday, par ticularly for Corinthians who will want to bring their backline into play as much as possible. The forwards will be a key element in this decider. Athlone have a driving and cohesive pack, who have proved for midable in scrums and rucks. Here Athlone will be relying on Connacht prop Davie Henshaw, Padraic Slevin and their captain Jude Lennon, with line-out jumpers McDon nell and No 8 O'Leary.

The big problem for Cor inthians is the availabilty of their No. 8 Noel Mannion, who is carrying a shoulder injury after his game for the Home Coun ties. If unfit to play, his loss will be a big blow to Corinthians, particularly on Sunday against the powerful Athlone pack. John O'Donovan, who coped well against the lighter U.C.G. men will replace Mannion. But Cor inthians will be looking to pack leader Joey Marlborough, Andy Heffernan and John Noone to win much-needed ball for Corinthians backs. Having changed their backline several times this season, Corinthians now seem to have found a working formula with Derek Holland in the pivotal outhalf position and the centre berths go ing to Aidan White and captain Jarlath O'Connell.

Match Winner
Corinthians will be hop ing Holland, who is a potential matchwinner but inconsistent, is on form on the day - not only for fin ding touch, but to kick goals if White has another bad day as he had in the semi-finals.

NE MNI N OL A N O
"DOUBTFUL"

But Corinthian's injury worries do not just rest with Mannion. Winger Joe Joe Gorham is still doubt ful and will be replaced by Loman Caulfield who played in the semi-final. Tommy Conneely should be fit to take his place at scrum-half while replace ment Ian McKay is stan ding by. Athlone's major injury worries are with their backs Gearoid Clarke, Kieran Slevin and their first choice scrum-half Mark Egan. While Slevin has been named in Athlone's three-quarter line, , they have left the other centre berth open. Tony Dolan, a junior who first took over from Egan in the Ballinasloe semi final, has been named in

DRK H LA D EE OL N " AC W NR MTH I E" N

the side. Despite these problems Athlone have a useful fullback in the under-rated Gordon Curley. Corinthians team con tains at least nine of the 1988 winning cup side, while Athlone, with only five has been been struggl ing this year to rebuild its team. While Athlone will be relying on their superior pack, Corinthians will need some clean and swift ball for their backs, who could provide the Galway side with their 13th Senior Cup title.

Corinthians: H. O'Toole F. O'Flynn, J. O'Connell A. White, J. J. Gorham, D Holland, T. Conneely, J, Greene, J. Marlborough, T. Forde, C. Browne, M. Mullins, A. Heffernan, N. Mannion, J. Noone, Replacements: L. Caulfield, I. McKay, J O'Donovan. Athlone: G. Curley, S Delaney, A. Nother, K. Slevin, D. Murray, N Dooley, T. Dolan, P Slevin, N. Daly, D. Hen-j shaw, J. Lennon, M McDonnell, C. Cooper, R English, D. O'Leary. Other fixtures this! weekend are the Ard Nal Cregg final between! holders Corinthians V Cor-| rib (Corinthian Park, lp.m.), and the Junior! Plate between Dunmoref and WestporKGlenina lp.m.).

Linley MacKenzie

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United Need New Talent TOUGH SEMI-FINAL HURDLE For 1991 FOR FOOTBALLERS
Paul McGee's first season in charge of Galway United saw him attain his target of a midtable position in the League of Ireland's Premier division.
With their closing 3 - 1 victory over Athlone last Sunday, United have distanced themselves from the turmoil of the relegation struggle that bedevilled their season last year. McGee made some useful captures this season. Declan Mclntyre may not be happy with the goals against United, but this belies the splendid consistency from the Donegalman. The midseason addition of Alan Matthews at centre back also paid dividends. His resolute defending in the stopper's role con tributed calm and purpose in the United defence. Pete Carpenter's cross channel trial indicated the scouting interest in his great footballilng ability. Out of the side for periods in the season, this was not the Claddaghman's best United season, but there is always a high and vi sionary quality about his PlayDerek Rodgers put in a fine season, and his absence was felt in Bray. Pat Dolan found three roles thrust on him this season. His honesty and character contributed to a wholehearted commit ment throughout the year. made a sparkling con tribution. Some mighbt have hoped for more scores from the Corrib Park man, but the inven tiveness and skill in his game must be built on next season. McGee lies among the leading goalscorers in the country, and he finished with a flourish on Sunday. Perhaps the managerial concerns made his game suffer slightly, particular ly when he withdrew to deeper roles at different stages of the season. Hpefully in 1991 John Glynngets an injury free season, and that Tommy Kearns continues to develop his potential. Kevin Cassidy, Fran Gavin and Jimmy Nolan have also contributed to United's season. But the unluckiest player must be Stephen Lally, who made Galway's U-21 foot ballers, who are on the march to another AllIreland final appearance, will have to overcome Kerry in the semi-finals on Sunday in Limerick. Unfortunately they will be without the star of their recent Leitrim win, Kevin Walsh from Killanin, who is unfit for the fray. Kerry had a good win by two goals over Cork in the a splendid contribution in mid season. Pa Dunne's display in Limerick showed he has lost none of his competitive edge. Last year's addition from the Oscar TraynorLeonard Powermade a solild start, and he will be all the sharper for the experience next season. Munster final at Tralee recently. Last Sunday Meath, whom Galway defeated in a challenge fix ture earlier this year, won out in Leinster. Tyrone, who came out victors over Galway in a similar challenge match, took the Ulster crown. Against Roscommon, Galway were very im pressive, but in the Con nacht final against Leitrim, they were lucky to win. Next Sunday much will again be expected of Galway's solid backline, which includes senior players Brian Silke and Sean de Paor. However the midfield, which was mediocre against Leitrim, and the forwards, will need to improve against the Munster champions. Kerry will prove tough opposition, particularly at half back, midfield and in the two central forward positions. Kerry must be favourites to win, but if Bosco McDermott can motivate his charges to give a similar positive display as they did against Roscommon, then a shock result is possible. The Galway team is Adrian Brennan, Mam Brian Silke, Sean de Paor, Davey Carr, Albert Hardiman, O'Connor, Pat Keane, Sean Coohn, Padhraic Fallon. Tommy Wilson, Tonus IWIMIMI. Niall Ftanegan and Jimim Folan. Subs. Johnny Burke, John Keane, Damien Mitchell, &MW tk Clancy, Kevin MeDaaagfc,

Midfield
The best football in midfield came from Eamon Deacy and Gerry Mullen. Deacy's return injected authority and poise to United's efforts. His asset In future could be developed through a deeper role. Mullen's greatest moment in a United jersy was his equalising goal against Athlone in the Cup. Up front Tommy Keane

New Talent
Without doubt McGee must now seek out some new talent to develop the squad into one capable of caDturine honours.

He must also try to fashion a shape to United's efforts to ensure their midfield and back is more resolute and competitive. As instanced by Jack Charlton, the team's shape or formation is more im portant than the personnel at his level. Brian Kerr's victory with St. Patrick's indicates tht with the proper adminstration and direction more modest clubs can capture honours. Galway United would do well to reflect on that success.

An l a

Tommy *Ryder. McDermott.

Mft aL a

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