FAI CUP FINAL; SLIGO ROVERS v SPORTING FINGAL:HAVING FEATURED in every game for the club this year, Conan Byrne wants to ensure he enjoys every minute of Sporting Final's season as they look to add silverware to their promotion to the Premier Division by beating Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Also employed as the club’s Community Development Officer, right winger Byrne’s high-energy game (he’s scored 27 goals in all competitions) perhaps best epitomises the impetus of Sporting Fingal less than two years into their existence.
Working tirelessly to establish itself in the north Dublin community, the club has been the first in the league to set up initiatives such as a Special Olympics team.
“We’re in the schools every day, in the clubs every night,” Byrne explains. “I’m heading off to Zambia the day after the cup final to do community work over there, under the Sporting Fingal banner.”
In what he describes as a “once in a lifetime” experience, Byrne, and four students and two teachers from Balbriggan Community College and St Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush, will travel to Mongu, western Zambia for two weeks, visiting orphanages, aids clinics, hospitals and schools, where they will teach basic literacy skills to children.
“I’d love to,” he answered when asked if he‘d like to have a cup winner’s medal in his pocket to bring with him. “I don’t think they’d have seen too many of those out there!”
While they’ve worked hard in promoting the club throughout the Fingal area, Sporting may expect to be outnumbered some two to one by Sligo supporters in the stands at Tallaght as their fan base has been slow to take root.
“Without a doubt,” is Byrne’s unequivocal answer when its put to him that the club will grow. “Once we move out to our facility in Lusk, which is right slap bang in the middle of Fingal, I think that’s where we will see it shine. Exactly like Shamrock Rovers, really. They went to Tallaght and now look at them every week.”
Having beaten Premier Division sides Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers in the last two rounds, meeting Sligo holds no fears for Sporting, whom Byrne believes are better suited to playing against sides who also play football.
“We’ve technically gifted players at the club and a lot of experienced players that have won cups and leagues,“ he said. “I prefer playing Premier teams and I’m looking forward to playing another now in the cup final.”
Tallaght’s less confined spaces should also benefit Sporting’s approach. “The big pitch suits us. We’re a passing team, like to get the ball down and spread it out wide, and Tallaght will suit us.”
Though everyone is fit and available, manager Liam Buckley is set to field the side that won promotion in Monday’s play-off final second leg at Bray Wanderers.
Sligo carry the tag of slight favourites rather reluctantly.
Current assistant manager Gerry Carr was their hero after scoring the winner in their last final appearance when beating Derry City 15 years ago. Tomorrow is a situation in reverse. In 1994 Sligo were the First Division club and underdogs.
“I think the difference back then was no one gave us a chance on the day,” recalls Carr.
“Everyone knows what Fingal have. We certainly won’t be underestimating them. They’ve had some great results lately and they have scored a lot of goals. If our boys can turn up showing the desire and application and we perform on the day, you probably would say we should be the favourites.”
Their captain, Conor O’Grady, missing the showpiece due to suspension has given Sligo added incentive to bring the trophy back to Yeats Country. Defender Alan Keane is set to lead the team out in his stead.
“It’s sickening for Conor, but it’s football isn’t it?“ said manager Paul Cook. “There’s always a story about a player being out. Conor is a man and he’s accepted it quickly. Like everyone else he will get behind the rest of the players.”
Cook is ready for the agony or the ecstasy of what 5pm tomorrow will bring.
“If we perform, I’m confident we can win the game. If we go there and don’t perform, we’re playing a very good Fingal team with good players, we’ll have our hands full.”
Probable teams
SLIGO ROVERS(4-4-2): Kelly; Boco, Peers, Keane, Kendrick; Cash, Ventre, Ryan, Doyle; Cretaro, Blinkhorn.
SPORTING FINGAL(4-3-3): Quigley; James,Maher, Paisley, Fitzgerald; Bayly, McFaul, Williams; C. Byrne, O'Neill, Zayed.
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