Carton House primed for spectacular

Weekend wins for Rosslare in Irish Senior Cup Leinster section and Warrenpoint in the Barton Shield in Ulster have confirmed the field for the national finals of the AIG Cups and Shields at Carton House, Kildare next month.

Co Sligo, who meet Banbridge in the second semi-final, are back in contention to retain the Senior Cup they captured for the fourth time at Royal Tara last year. The Rosses Point club will look to players like Sean Flanagan, Steffan O’Hara, David Brady and Mark Morrissey to retain the trophy. Their semi-final opponents Banbridge have yet to win the Senior Cup but vastly experienced players like Rory Leonard, Conor Doran and Jim Carvill are in their line-up and will take a lot of beating.

Tramore meet Rosslare in the first senior semi-final and must go back to 1992 at Killarney for their only success in the event. Robin Dawson pictured, the gifted 18-year-old who made his senior international debut this year, is their key man. Alan Thomas, Chris Butler, David Kiely and former Waterford hurler Paul Flynn are also in the side. Having come through the Leinster section and disposing of Hermitage easily at Mount Juliet on Sunday, surprise qualifiers Rosslare must be treated with respect. However, with the exception of Leinster interpro Gary Collins, the remainder of their side, Mark Mullen, Paul Murphy, Tony O’Leary and Ian Lynch, are relatively unknown.