THERE is no doubt that Avoca have the greatest urge to win tomorrow's Irish Senior Cup hockey final at Belfield (2,30).
Stalwarts Mark Cullen and Nigel Kingston are aiming to make the breakthrough in their fifth final as the Blackrock club - led by Peter Darley in their centenary season - strive to prevail at last. But the Olympian Jimmy Kirkwood is in pursuit of his 10th medal as Lisnagarvey, spurred particularly by Robbie Taylor, aim to take the trophy for the eighth time in nine years.
Avoca lost their first and second finals, 2-1 to Belfast YMCA in 1983 and 1985 (when Kirkwood scored the winner) and went under to Lisnagarvey, 1-0, in 1991 and 1993. Cullen and Kingston as well as Simon Filgas (now coach) survive from the 1983 side but the defeat they remember most, with seven other members of the current squad, was the decider at Blaris three years ago when Daniel Clarke snicked home the only goal with barely a minute left on the block in extra time.
Both Filgas, though, and the equally astute David Judge are prepared to suggest a change in fortunes. "Yes, there seems to be a turnaround in power between Leinster and Ulster," says Filgas. "We have more experience now - we even have good players on the bench. But it is vital that we start well."
It may well be that Robbie Ryan can make an immediate impact in midfield. This is undoubtedly Avoca's strongest sector where the robust Limerickman and the other outside recruit, the lean Colin Hade, have allied themselves to the guile of Kingston.
A problem is that this trio have got to cope essentially with Kirkwood, Taylor and Clarke. It is likely therefore that the most incisive work will need to come from the increasingly influential Galahad Goulet, even if he, too, is obliged to lie back in a 4-4-2 formation.
This Nissan sponsored final promises to be a hard, gripping match of high technique. Avoca have shaped well in practice, but Lisnagarvey's leading figures are also familiar with the pitch as six members of the side played there for Ireland in the European Championship.
The genial Packenham Pim, who captained his adopted Ulster to success in the recent junior interprovincials, has re emerged to gain inclusion in the Lisnagarvey squad. He was man of the match in the 1993 final. Is he to remain the only Leinsterman to win a cup medal since 1979 when Dublin YMCA (including Pat Hade) were the last non Ulster side to capture: the trophy?
The hockey fraternity has been saddened this week by the death of Gordon McIlroy, aged 52. He played centre back for Ulster and for the Instonians team which won the senior league for the first time in 1975. He was also Ulster and Ireland under 21 coach. A cheery personality, he was president of the Ulster Branch in 1991.
