Garvey obstacle to all-Cork Cup final

IRISH Senior Cup specialists, Lisnagarvey, are viewed as the biggest obstacle to the accomplishment of a little history today when two Cork teams attempt to negotiate the semi-finals and set-up hockey’s first ever all-Cork men’s cup final.

Lisnagarvey have an extraordinary record in the Cup and it is somewhat misleading to reflect on their absence from the winning enclosure since 1994. Such a long barren spell is unusual for a club who won the Cup 17 times overall and seven times in-a-row from 1988 to 1994.

Those were heady days for Lisnagarvey as they rampaged through the country with a team enriched by such wonderful players as Jimmy Kirkwood, Robbie Taylor, Alan Dowd and Raymond Geddis, among others.

These are changed times, however, and Lisnagarvey are only now beginning to complete the painful process of evolution from one great team to another. Players like Julian Stevenson, Errol Lutton, with more than 60 caps for Ireland, and Mark Raphael are big-hitters in an emerging team.

Cork C of I are well aware of Lisnagarvey's proud reputation, especially in Blaris, for they can recall too-many dismal journeys home after seeing their Cup ambitions wiped out by talented Northern teams. They believe this time it will be different.

"The match comes at a good time for us because it is only in the past month that the team have started to play as well as they can," said club president Neil Welch. "We started the season slowly but some challenging matches recently and the return of some players from injury have helped us along."

C of I can boast of six senior internationals John Jermyn, David Hobbs, Karl Burns and Nigel Buttimer, who played against Belgium in Barcelona recently, and former regulars Alistair Dunne and Colin Hanna.

Dunne is a charismatic figure for them and his return after a long injury absence could be significant. He made his formidable international reputation in midfield but C of I may look to him to address their long-standing problem of turning the form of good approach work into goals.

A pity for them is the absence of Mark Black, another international, who recently underwent an operation on a cruciate ligament injury.

Cork Harlequins are rated tops in the country for they have a sweet balance of skill and power in their team. Their win last year in the All-Ireland club championship testified to their strength and they will enjoy the fruits of that success when they travel to play in the European championship in Brussels next month.

Harlequins were last season's Munster League winners and currently lead the title race again. They will retain the title if they avoid defeat when they play C of I in Garryduff on March 22.

Harlequins are like C of I in that they look to their penalty corners to produce many of their goals and David Eakins' dynamic drag-flick is a formidable weapon for them. His best efforts have been timed at 125 mph but Harlequins are not limited to set-pieces for their return as their record of 136 goals in all competitions and only five conceded in 15 league matches shows.

Harlequins face Corinthians, a team powered by a number of Australians and an emerging force. Corinthians play a hard and direct game and they will provide Harlequins with a vigorous challenge.

Harlequins have accumulated much experience in recent seasons, with senior internationals Wesley Bateman, Jason Black, Paul Lombard and David Eakins playing key roles. Sean Nicholson and Colin Brady, a son of singer, Paul, are U21 internationals and two others capped at this level, John Hobbs and John Ahern, all contribute to a team that looks well equipped to win.

Harlequins came through two very tight matches in the previous rounds when they beat Annadale of Belfast 5-4 on strokes after a 2-2 draw and also Pembroke Wanderers 4-3 on strokes after a 1-1 draw in the quarter-finals. Such tests have helped to forge the spirit that Harlequins hope will bring them their first senior cup success in their 76 year history.

"Our hopes are high," said club president Pat Dawson. "Harlequins have not lost any match in 70 minutes in the past two years and our success in the All-Ireland club championship last year was a huge encouragement."

The Gash brothers, Eddie and Richard, have contributed 44 goals in the league to their cause and with strong back-up from others like Brian Hayes-Curtin, Philip McLaughlin and Chris Daunt, an U18 international with C of I last season, they have a well-rounded and mature group of 16 who are well equipped to succeed.

*The Irish ladies Senior Cup final will be televised live by RTE on March 23. Coverage of the Loreto, Dublin and Cork Harlequins match will begin at 4.15pm on Network 2.

RTE also intend to screen highlights of the men's Senior Cup final on April 5.