Avoca must hold Morris

OVERALL playing strengths indicate that Lisnagarvey and, Avoca will meet again in the final of the Irish Senior Cup, sponsored by Nissan, in Dublin on April 13th.

Holywood, hosts to Avoca ate Olympia Leisure Centre tomorrow, have survived to the semi final stage largely due to the quick fire finishing of Kenny Morris and also to admirable goal keeping by Kyle Thompson. As has been suggested in countless previews over the last decade, if Morris can be contained, Holywood are unlikely to win.

Avoca know that they will need to deploy someone pretty swift to mark him, possibly even Gallahad Goulet. He could be spared from the attack now that Anton Scott is back to widen the options up front.

Provided that Robert Ryan is not hindered by a calf strain, he should be able to force the pace in midfield, though Colin Hade may not totally subdue Michael Irvine. The Dublin side probably can create the greater number of chances, but there will still be John McKee, Billy McConnell and Thompson to outwit. Open play strikes by, say, JP Murphy or Rory Kirwan, may be required rather than short corner manoeuvres.

A more free flowing semi final in envisaged at Blaris, where Lisnagarvey remain powerfully equipped for the visit of Cork C of I. Yet, Jimmy Kirkwood, Robbie Taylor and company could find themselves outflanked by a side with plenty of life in attack if Alistair Dunne can get the Hanna brothers, Darren and Colin, moving in open space, stretching Alan Dowd's defence to the limit.

The game could be all about mood. For example, if Daniel Clarke and Julian Stevenson were to find top gear for Lisnagarvey, the pressure might become too much for Ger Burns and under 18 international Andrew Chambers to hold the Cork line.