ALTHOUGH yesterday's arrest of 21 supporters for alleged fighting and robbery cast a shadow one tonight's UEFA Cup quarter final first leg tie (BBC 1, 7.15), Nottingham Forest will approach it more optimistically than was once envisaged.
Bayern Munich may be one of the great European clubs, they may lead the Buadesliga, they may have scored 10 goals in their last two league games, and seven against Benfica in their last European tie, but they are not happy.
Juergen Kliasmann, who scored six against Beafica, taking this season's personal European tally to 11 goals, railed last week against his team mates' `ego mentality'. Lothar Mattheus may have felt his ears burning Their mutual antipathy has reached the stage where Uli Hoeness, once a World Cup winner, now the club's manager, has publicly asked for an increase in team spirit and reduction in ego.
Contrast this to a Forest side whose resolute European campaign has vividly illustrated a dressing room prepared to work for one another. Frank Clark's skillful man management is best exemplified by Ian Woan. After the quarter final draw was made he told a Sunday tabloid that Forest had no chance. Clark dropped him for that day's match and disciplined him. Woan has since signed a new contract and is playing so well he is being mentioned as an England prospect.
A goal in extra time by Gary Cronin earned Drimnagh Castle the Leinster Schools Senior Cup with a 3-2 win over St Mark's Tallaght at Tolka Park last night. Drimnagh had twice been pulled back by St Mark's but on 98 minutes Cronin struck with a header following a cross from the right by Eddie Gobbett.
During normal time Drimnagh seemed to have the measure of their opponents and deservedly went in front through Graham Dunning after eight minutes. Ian Foran headed an equaliser before Dunning put Drimnagh back in front on the half hour. Once more St Mark's struck against the run of play in the second half when Gareth Tuite ran onto a through ball from Foran to beat Dean Delaney with a powerful shot. But ultimately, Drimnagh prevailed.
