WHILE Three Rock Rovers decided to avail of their right to reschedule Saturday's league match against St Brendan's/Phoenix Park, their opponents, Glenanne, go into today's Cable and Wireless Leinster Senior Cup final fresh and quietly confident of keeping the trophy first time.
It has been noted by some that giving a postponement for the cup final diminished the league championship. This, they claim, leaves it open to more freakish results as matches are squeezed into midweek slots at the end of the season.
Given that the league winners are potential Irish representatives in Europe, it has also been claimed that a Wednesday game played under lights and a warm-up in a traffic jam is no way to decide a league campaign.
That said, the cup final always attracts one of the largest crowds of the year and is undoubtedly a highlight of the season where a skilled Glenanne will again be underdogs despite their enviable record against Rovers.
They have already defeated their opponents in the league - where Stephen Butler hit in two corners and two flicks in the 4-2 result - emphasising that the Grange Road home advantage will hold no terror for the Tallaght side.
Glenanne will be particularly heartened that Butler is making a big effort to be at the game. He is involved in the Four Nations under-18 championship at Milton Keynes which finished yesterday. With three international matches in his legs, however, he may not be a certain starter.
Roly O'Donoghue, currently studying in the Netherlands, also hopes to make it back to join a squad where 15 out of the 16 members are home-grown talent. Only goalkeeper and vice-captain Ian Clarke, who came from Monkstown, are not originally from Glenanne.
Three Rock Rovers are more widespread in the gathering of their players, as are the other top clubs, Avoca and Pembroke. Striker Liam Canning should have recovered from the fracture in his cheek and will be clear to play without head protection. This will be a significant factor in their flair-driven approach, while German international Uli Moiffi is sure to add a new dimension. Moiffi, working in Ireland for some weeks, is a player to watch for his all-round technical ability.
With captain Rob Johnson leading the challenge for Rovers, along with Ger Butler, Canning and Anthony O'Neill in goal, the game should provide some sparks. No harm in that. It should be close with set pieces possibly deciding the issue. This is where Rovers could fall. Glenanne to win by a short bead.
