Ban appeal sees Butler boost Glenanne hopes

THE will-he-won’t he saga of Glenanne’s Stephen Butler’s participation in today’s cup semi-final against Harlequins ended yesterday when the player’s appeal against a one-match ban was lodged with the IHA.

Butler is now free to line out for the Tallaght outfit, who are bidding to win the cup for the first time since 2001.

But coach Noel Keogh says his side face a difficult task.

“I’ve no doubt they were delighted when their name came out of the hat first. Home venue will be an advantage for them, but irrespective of that they are a very good side and have been for the last number of years.

“They have the best goalie in the country in Wes Bateman who, I’ve no doubt, could still have a place in the Irish team if he wanted it, and in John Hobbs and Sean Nicholson they have two of the best defenders in the country.”

He added that with the likes of Duxie Lombard and Dave Eakins, as well as the two Black brothers, Mark and Jason, ‘Quins cannot be underestimated.

“I have great admiration for them and it says everything about them that they can lose someone of the quality of Conor Harte and not miss him.

“Everyone is fit and we are really looking forward to the game. We’re expecting a tough but fair match and that is the way it has been between these teams in recent years. I cannot remember any cards being issued in any of our recent meetings,” he said.

The Glenanne coach said that while his side had a 2-1 advantage in cup wins in recent times, they still remembered the 3-1 and 5-1 beatings dished out to them by ‘Quins in the club championships in the 2003/4 and 2004/5 seasons.

“It will be close match but we’re well prepared and injury free, so we’ll be giving it our best shot,” he added.