Corinthians look to bridge gap

Paul O'Reilly, a founder member of Corinthians, remembers playing at right half back on the team that won the club's only senior trophy, the Mills Cup, 60 years ago.

"We beat Imperial Tobacco Company 2-0. Frank Duke and one of the O'Keeffe brothers from Marlborough scored the goals," recalls O'Reilly, who, at 88, continues to withstand all weathers in collecting the gate money at the Leinster Schools finals.

Today, he can take his seat in the pavilion at Grange Road as Corinthians challenge the holders, Pembroke Wanderers, for the Cable & Wireless-sponsored Leinster Senior (Mills) Cup. Earlier in the season, Corinthians had looked capable of bridging the 60-year divide, but lost the Stephen Doyle final to Glenanne.

O'Reilly's successor at right (half) back six decades later, Wesley Rothwell, resumes for Corinthians in a full strength squad after missing last Saturday's match against Avoca through injury. But Pembroke defender Allan Kershaw has not recovered from the heavy knock he suffered in the league match against Three Rock Rovers, while Paudie Carley's damaged knee will probably confine him to the bench.

Michael Tijs and Andy Cooke will be able deputies as Pembroke pursue another league and cup double but in their four meetings with Corinthians this season there has been no more than a goal in the difference. Indeed, Corinthians won the Top Four semi-final in a shoot-out and the issue this afternoon might well go right to the wire again.

It seems certain that Corinthians' Australian striker Colin Stewart will figure prominently in the proceedings as he seeks his 100th goal in four prolific years in Dublin circles. No better man to drown the shamrock.

Pembroke Wanderers (from) - N Henderson, C Henderson; F de Rosa (capt), M Tijs, D McKeen, C Kelly, I Battle, A Cooke, D Donnelly, P Carley, S Stewart, T Dunne, D Goode, M Lanos, S Kershaw, B Grey.

Corinthians (probable): P Darley (capt); W Rothwell, C Byrne, F Appleby, I Ovington; C Ross, P Armitage, C Campbell; A Missen; T Connell, C Stewart. Subs: G Clarke, I Walshe, D McFeely, P Connell, R Burns.