Nostalgia will be a pungent element at Belfield on April 24th when Three Rock Rovers and Cork C of I meet in the first all-southern final of the Irish Senior Cup in 25 years - and in that final at Londonbridge Road in 1974, Three Rock beat C of I 2-1 through a penalty stroke converted by Derek Hennessy in the closing stages.
In those days before the open draw, Rovers had defeated Lisnagarvey in a semi-final replay at Blaris and Saturday's advance at Grange Road by their current representatives was on remarkable similar lines as the 2-1 scoreline was repeated against the Ulstermen in an absorbing match.
Defending in depth, resilient in midfield and breaking at full pace, Rovers withstood intense pressure, especially in the first half when Lisnagarvey registered a short-corner count of 9-1 but found difficulty in coping with the seam at the top of the circle, in addition to which Shane Davey excelled between the Rovers posts.
Ironically, from Rovers' only set piece opportunity, Christian Judd, with precocious alacrity, touched home a strike by Robin Madeley in the eighth minute. Then, with Angus Dunlop and Andrew Walker showing invaluable maturity at the back and Mark Tumilty blazing a point-blank shot over the bar, Three Rock held their 1-0 lead to the interval.
Furthermore, the home side managed to launch an offensive at the start of the second half which yielded their second goal after 11 minutes. Gordon Elliott, tearing free on the left wing, sent Judd through to force a save from Raymond Geddis and Elliott lashed the loose ball into the net.
Lisnagarvey responded immediately and menacingly as Robbie Taylor at last got hold of a short corner and although Davey kept out his drag flick, the rebound fell for Julian Stevenson to reduce the margin to the minimum. The visitors, however, couldn't put away their chances in a pulsating final quarter in which the buzzing Tumilty and Stevenson, as well as Johhny Gray, were barely foiled.
Ultimately, Garry Ringwood and Liam Canning were prominent in helping to lift the siege sagely as Rovers go on to enrich themselves in Amsterdam at Easter before returning for their second successive Nissan-sponsored Irish final. "The experience against Instonians last year may be to our benefit," said skipper Madeley, the Banbridge man who may yet emulate Dubliner Packenham Pim in reverse.
Cork C of I meanwhile will have their two all-Ireland league playoffs (probably against Lisnagarvey) to hone their challenge for a first cup success since the three-in-a-row odyssey of 1967-68-69. Darren Hanna, son of Jack from that era, sank the crucial goal in extra time to defeat Annadale 3-2 in a rousing semi-final at Garryduff.
In a nervous opening half, Mark Black pushed C of I in front after John Tormey had saved from Karl Burns, but Annadale defiantly replied through Grant Hayes and John Stephens gave them a deserved interval lead.
The home side, however, showed their prowess in the second period for Neil Welch, Alastair Dunne and the inspirational Nigel Buttimer to set up a fine equaliser from Hanna. Then, in the 77th minute, with Dunne again involved, Hanna delivered the winning strike, which took a deflection, from an acute angle.
