Cork IT have final spot in their sights

HAVING achieved their initial target of reaching the Sigerson Cupsemi-finals, hosts Cork IT now shift their focus to this afternoon’s semi-final test against NUI Galway.

The hosts securing a last four berth was a huge boost for the overall competition this weekend, yet there will be an anti-climactic sense for Cork IT if they bow out against NUIG.

CIT coach Keith Ricken is aware of the task at hand.

“This is a good Galway side. We played them earlier in the year and they beat us by three or four goals. They’ve some very good players, particularly Armstrong and Bradshaw. Our focus over the last few weeks was to get to the weekend by making the last four.

“I’d be quietly confident that we’ve gone about our business very well this year. The lads have applied themselves well to training and we’ve got great co-operation from Conor Counihan and John Cleary.”

CIT claimed a big scalp last week in overturning DCU, but NUIG toppled a comparable force in ousting reigning champions UUJ.

NUIG coach Eoin O’Donnellan is hopeful such a win will stand them in good stead.

“Putting a win over the Jordanstown boys was a huge boost to us.

“We’d previously gone past St Mary’s and that was a tough route we’d to take against northern sides.

“But many teams have beaten favourites and not gone any further. Cork IT are strong all over the pitch and being at home will help them greatly.”

Both teams may have sprung surprises in the quarter-finals, but they both do possess a core of quality to their team.

Galway senior duo Gareth Bradshaw and Sean Armstrong are huge players for NUIG, the former backboning the defence and the latter spearheading the attack.

CIT cannot allow this pair to impose themselves on the game, yet Bradshaw will need to be mindful of curbing Paul Kerrigan’s searing runs and CIT’s centre back Aidan O’Sullivan has been in good form of late.

Cork IT’s primary scoring source is the twin force of Daniel Goulding and Colm O’Neill in the full-forward line, and they chalked up 1-12 in last week’s DCU triumph.

NUIG will be looking to Mayo senior Kieran Conroy to give them a midfield foothold, as Paul O’Flynn and Sean O’Hare provide a dominant platform here for Cork IT.

Both teams should be brimming with confidence and in that sense it could turn out to be a cracking encounter, as they both have fast and lively football styles.

Home venue is an advantage for CIT and they’ll have a vociferous following behind them.

If they can service Goulding and O’Neill regularly, then a final place can be theirs.

Verdict: Cork IT