Four Senior Cup semi-finalists field understrength sides

ALL four semi-finalists in today’s Bulmers Irish Senior Cup semi-finals at Lisburn will be without key players.

Mervyn Owens is out of the Mallow team to meet Malone because he is unable to get home in time from college in Louisiana, but he will be available for Ireland in the Home Internationals at Ballybunion next week. He is replaced by 18-year-old Jimmy Walsh, one of the brightest young prospects in the country. Malone for their part are short another American-based student, Colm Montgomery, and they, like Mallow, are fielding a very young side.

In contrast, Portmarnock, winners of the Senior Cup on a record 17 occasions, are putting out a side of vast experience including Noel Fox, a member of the successful British & Irish Walker Cup side. They meet Athlone, who will sorely miss the presence of Colm Moriarty, another hero of the Ganton triumph last week-end. He is already a member of the paid ranks and shot 72 in yesterday’s North of Ireland Masters at Clandeboye.