WHATEVER “out of their skins” may evoke for Cushendall’s players, the need tomorrow to produce a clench-fisted performance equal to it is clear if All-Ireland impact is to be made.
Antrim’s provincial champions face a team of reputed class and swift striking power in Shannon side Wolfe Tone’s at Parnell Park, with Athenry and Camross contesting the other semi-final in Semple Stadium.
Cushendall and Camross are regarded as the outsiders, and even Ruairi Ogs’ most die-hard supporter would accept this may be a bridge too far, too soon for their youngsters.
Wolfe Tones, who feature two of the All-Ireland stars of 1995 in Lohan brothers Brian and Frank, and who knocked out last year’s club kings Sixmilebridge on their way, start short-odds favourites.
* The Clare champs ended up sneaking a one-point victory, 2-8 to 1-10.
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JORDANSTOWN defender Aiden Morris looks set to miss today’s eagerly-awaited Sigerson Cup quarter-final against their University of Ulster rivals, Coleraine. The former Tyrone county panelist is troubled by a back injury.
However, as expected, UUJ’s current inter-county players, barring any last minute injuries, will line out for the Poly in today’s Jordanstown clash. Freshers Kevin Madden, Micheal Kelly and Paul Diamond could be named in Charlie Sweeney’s first 15, while Sean Lockhart and David O’Neill, who didn’t line out against Athlone in the last round, may also play.
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LANSDOWNE Road will be a cauldron of expectation this afternoon when Ireland take on their oldest rugby foe, England, in the Five Nations Championship.
What a difference a month makes. Ignominious defeat by Italy in January saw coach Murray Kidd unceremoniously dumped, and former Bath coach Brian Ashton brought in to guide the Irish through the inevitable turbulence, and after a worthy display against France an unlikely win was fashioned in Cardiff two weeks ago.
Ashton has certainly brought a sense of order and purpose to Ireland’s play, and he’s understandably been feted for restoring a measure of dignity to the international side.
But a narrow win over a Wales side in delicate health, welcome though it was, cannot persuasively indicate that Ireland have so transformed themselves that they can hope to lower the colours of the strutting English.
* The caution of journalist Rod Nawn was well-placed – Ireland were thrashed 46-6.
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GAA: NFL Division One - Derry v Donegal (Celtic Park, 3pm tomorrow): It hasn’t occurred in 36 years. Donegal return to Celtic Park for the first time since the 1960s needing a win if their run of back-to-back NFL play-off qualifications is not to end this season.
Derry, tails up after their confidence-boosting defeat of Kildare, will make life very hard and have Seamus Downey back on the starting grid at full-forward for this one.
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CHESTERFIELD take their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1950 tomorrow, with teenage striker Kevin Davies looking to use the game to his advantage.
Davies blew away division one leaders Bolton in the last round with a hat-trick in the 3-2 win and has been the subject of a £400,000 bid from Bristol City.
But the young hot-shot has set his sights even higher and the game against Premiership form side Nottingham Forest is the ideal opportunity to impress any watching managers.
