Sheriff YC (Dublin) v Evergreen FC (Kilkenny)
Today, 6pm, Aviva Stadium
WITH OVER 650 clubs entering this season’s Aviva sponsored FAI Junior Cup just two remain as we reach the climax of this season’s competition this evening at the Aviva Stadium.
The reigning champions Sheriff YC clash with Kilkenny’s Evergreen FC at the home of Irish football as the Dublin side hope to secure their fifth Junior Cup in seven years.
Alan Reilly and Chris Giles have moulded one of the finest teams Irish junior football has seen. Since they took over in 2012 they have amassed 20 trophies in four seasons and that could be 26 by the end of this season as they still compete on six more fronts including the AUL league where they go for their 6th title in a row.
It has been suggested in some quarters that this side is reaching it’s natural end but a look through their squad shows experience and winners and that’s why they are odds on favourites here.
En route to this season’s final, Sheriff have taken the scalps of Dublin rivals Collinstown along with the likes of Carew Park, Usher Celtic, Peake Villa and Killarney Celtic. Despite the calibre of opposition, Sheriff have always found a way to win, even in adversity.
The brothers Murphy provide the backbone to this Sheriff side. Lee in goals has been instrumental in this cup run. Reduced to nine men after 35 minutes against Villa FC in the last 16, they held them scoreless through to penalties where Lee saved and scored to send his side through.
Again in the semi-final against Killarney Celtic, despite conceded a last-minute penalty in extra-time in which Jamie Spillane levelled, Murphy saved two in the shootout either side of dispatching his own penalty.
In front of Lee is Paul Murphy, who is comfortable at full-back and as part of a back three. Paul is the leader of the side, his passion for defending is matched by his ability to attack down the right at perfectly timed moments in a game, generally leading to goal scoring opportunities.
Anto Murphy returns to the Sheriff midfield, with Stephen and cousin Sean, after a long spell in the League of Ireland with several clubs. His experience and ability on the ball is yet another threat to Evergreen.
In front of them all is John Rock. Over the seasons many young pretenders have made their case to lead the Sheriff YC line but all have flattered to deceive and Rock continues to be one of the best around. His hold-up play and ability to bring the midfield into the game is key to Sheriff’s best moments and Evergreen will look to intercept the ball before it makes it as far as the feet of the veteran striker.
Evergreen FC arrive in their first FAI Junior Cup Final since 1984 when they were defeated by Beggsboro in Tolka Park. On paper, Evergreen’s run to the dinal does not highlight any big names conquered but this side has slowly been building through the season. The quality of the semi-final against Boyle Celtic in front of 2,200 people at the Showgrounds exemplified the level this team are at.
Player manager Packie Holden has assembled an excellent squad in Kilkenny and this side will not be overawed by a Sheriff side which he said “had a bit of luck” when they defeated them in last season’s Leinster Junior Cup final 2-0.
Holden was in goals when Evergreen lost in the semi-final against Boyle in 1999 it looked like he may have been on the wrong end again when he conceded a first-half penalty to the same club, which they led with until an equaliser in the second half.
Holden went from villain to hero as his save in the shootout helped send Evergreen through to the final and his experience, which includes a spell in the League of Ireland, will be key on Saturday.
Similar to Sheriff, the spine this Evergreen team is very much where you will expect the leadership and quality to come from. Captain Neil Andrews at centre-half is a leader and he has marshalled a defence that has conceded just four goals in eight Junior Cup ties this season.
Robbie Quan and Tom Earls will provide the cover and the attacking threat from their full-back berths.
Indeed, Tom Earls’ long throws have been a constant source of joy for this side in the competition. They have led to several goals for Evergreen this season and no doubt they will look to utilise this again at the Aviva.
Many of the throws are directed at Evergreen’s dominant centre midfielder Sean Barcoe. However, Barcoe is not just a threat from from set-pieces. His ability to get up and down the pitch supplemented by his talent in breaking up the play and finding a key pass has been instrumental in Evergreen’s run to date.
Barcoe drives this team on and along with his threat in the air, he will be very much on the radar of the Sheriff side ahead of the final.
Leading the line is Mikey Drennan, who hit the net in the quarter-final and semi-final wins for Evergreen.
Drennan was the top scored for Aston Villa when they won the NextGen series in 2013. After some injuries, he returned to set the League of Ireland alight with his goals for Shamrock Rovers. He then took a step back from the professional game but Drennan is back enjoying his football at his home town club and his quality will be vital on Saturday.
Drennan has linked well with Barcoe from midfield and also with his strike partner Conor English. Along with goals, the 23-year-old brings experience and ability that stretches well beyond putting the ball in the net.
At a crucial time in the semi-final against Boyle, Drennan dropped deep into midfield to exert a greater influence on ball retention and distribution for his side. He may well be called on to show this side of his game against a Sheriff midfield that has ability and experience in abundance.
To focus solely on Barcoe and Drennan would be detrimental to Sheriff, particularly with the likes of English, Walshe and Whearty also bringing a substantial attacking threat in the final third.
This may be Sheriff YC’s swansong but 1984 is still fresh in the minds of this Kilkenny side and they are primed to wreck party for Reilly, Giles and co at the Aviva Stadium.
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