Instonians, unflinching in their semi-final defeat of Pembroke Wanderers, virtually invincible in Ulster circles this season and fielding eight members of the side which overpowered Harlequins in 1995, undoubtedly have the credentials to overcome Three Rock Rovers in the Nissan-sponsored Irish Senior Cup final at Belfield tomorrow.
Yet an extract from the archives of 1974 - when Rovers last won the trophy by beating Cork C of I (2-1) at Londonbridge Road - reflects the hopes that the Leinster representatives carry into the latest challenge. In a report of the 2-1 conquest of Lisnagarvey in the semi-final replay, an Irish Times correspondent wrote: "Although under intense pressure, the Three Rock captain Richard Mellon instilled into his team his own brand of determination, allied to a deep-thinking approach."
Today, Mellon (has mobile and gumboots, will travel) is the manager of an enthusiastic, if somewhat cavalier bunch of players, with a wide range in ages, from the committed captain and goalkeeper Anthony O'Neill (38) to Peter McConnell (16). It has been an unsettled season, with some undistinguished league results, and, indeed, it has come as a surprise that they have reached the final of the blue riband competition.
However, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to eliminate Harlequins and also putting full concentration into edging out Annadale, has demonstrated the side's capabilities, honed now by Dutch coach Harold de Jong.
It is reckoned that if O'Neill, Robin Madeley and Liam Canning were again to give inspired performances and if such up-and-coming figures as Alan Bothwell, Gary Ringwood and Gordon Elliott were to provide the utmost support, Instonians might be vulnerable. "We will give it our best shot," said O'Neill.
Instonians, of course, will be methodical and patient. There is no doubting the strength at the back of Neil Cooke and Paddy Brown while Paul Hollway is bound to be influential in midfield and Jon Atkins and Mark Irwin will fully stretch the Rovers defence. The early exchanges may be crucial.
Instonians (bt Clontarf 8-0 (h), bt UCD 5-1 (h), bt Cookstown 2-0 (h), bt Raphoe 1-0 (a), bt Pembroke Wanderers 3-2, aet (h) - T Hogg, N Skillen; K Rutherford, N Cooke (capt), P Brown, C Kennedy, M Wainright, J Lewis, P Hollway, G Currie, M Cooke, J Atkins, M Irwin, S Reid, A Lewis, D McCloy; coach: P Anderson; man- ager: I Latham.
Three Rock Rovers (bt YMCA 5-0 (h), bt NICS 4-3 (h), bt Bangor 4-1 (h), bt Harlequins 32, aet (h), bt Annadale 3-2 (a) - A O'Neill (capt), S Davey; S Walker, A Bothwell, R Harris, J Sleeman, C Judd, P Fleming, R Johnson, R Madeley, A Walker, P McConnell, G Ringwood, L Canning, G Elliott, C Carroll; coach: H de Jong; manager: R Mellon. Umpires: R O'Connor, G Quail; technical officer: J Connolly.
Tie to be decided by shoot-out if teams are level after extra-time.
The TRR cup-winning line-out in 1974 was (4-2-4): T Myles; P Coulson, M McMullan, H Fry, M Varian; R Mellon (capt), D Judge; J Findlater, D Hennessy, R FitzSimon, E Bradshaw. Subs (did not play in final): P Craig, D Budd.
