Outsiders Ballymoney hoping to revisit past glories

HOCKEY:Back in 2001 Ballymoney completed one of those sporting fairy tales that so rarely occur, beating Pembroke Wanderers to reach the final of the Irish Senior Cup in only their third season in the top flight of Ulster hockey.

The mighty Pegasus, though, were their opponents in Blaris, the venue for the final after Belfield was ruled out due to the foot-and-mouth scare. The Belfast side had swept past Hermes 3-0 in the other semi-final, making them hot favourites to win the final.

But Ballymoney prevailed, on penalty strokes, a remarkable triumph for the club, all 16 of their squad born and bred in the town, most coming through the ranks together at local school Dalriada.

Fast forward to 2007 and, uncannily, the ESB Irish Senior Cup has thrown up the same semi-final pairings, with Ballymoney meeting Pembroke at the Joey Dunlop Centre and Hermes hosting Pegasus in Booterstown.

And, just as in 2001, Ballymoney can probably be regarded as the outsiders of the four semi-finalists, their league form only picking up since Christmas after a mediocre start to the season.

Their starting line-up is, though, likely to include five of the team from 2001, including player-coach Lynsey McVicker and Nikki McCaughern, who scored both goals in the semi-final win over Pembroke that year.

Pembroke, seeking their first appearance in the final since 1988, were coached by Rudi Wortmann in 2001, but his duties now lie with Hermes who, of course, are on for a three-in-a-row in the competition and are looking to reach their fifth final in six years.

Contests between Pegasus and Hermes are rarely dull, with the teams producing more than a few epic games since their rivalry began almost a decade ago.

Home advantage should give the holders the edge going in to tomorrow's game but when these teams meet there's not much that can be considered predictable.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Irish Senior Cup - Tomorrow - Semi-finals: Hermes v Pegasus, Booterstown, 1.30; Ballymoney v Pembroke Wanderers, Joe Dunlop Centre, 1.30.

Leinster League - Tomorrow - Division One: Trinity v Old Alexandra, Santry, 12.30; UCD v Railway Union, Belfield, 12.45; Three Rock v Clontarf, Grange Road, 1.0; Corinthian v Loreto, Whitechurch, 2.0. Division Two: UCD II v Genesis, Belfield, 11.15; Diocesan v Loreto II, Rathgar, 12.0; Corinthian II v Glenanne, Whitechurch, 3.30. Sunday - Division Two: Hermes II v Loreto II, Booterstown, 1.30.