Rebels favoured to continue on merry way in All-Ireland decider

by Brendan Larkin
THE game of hurling, which is enjoying such a bonanza at the moment, should receive a further boost tomorrow when Cork and Galway meet in the All-Ireland under 21 final at Thurles.
Defending champions Cork will be favourites to retain their title in what is a repeat of last year's decider, and with a liberal sprinkling of seniors, All-Ireland medal winners at minor and under 21 on both sides, this final, which is being shown live on TV for the very first time, has really caught the imagination.
Cork deserve the favourites tag on two accounts. They can call on 11 of last year's winning team and have chalked up the highly impressive tally of 16 goals and 67 points in their four games to date, against Clare (4-18 to 1-11), Waterford (6-16 to 0-9), Tipperary (3-18 to 1-10) and Antrim (3-15 to 0-11).
Galway on the other hand had only one outing in the championship, against Kilkenny in the semi-final, and while they won that with plenty to spare (4-18 to 3-7) weren't overly impressive, primarily because of their lack of good competitive games in their lead up to that match.
Three years ago the two counties met in the minor All-Ireland semi-final at the same venue, and in one of the best games in that grade in years, Cork pulled down a 10-point half-time deficit to win by two before going on to easily beat Kilkenny in the final.
Such was the talent in that Cork minor team that nine went on to win under 21 All-Ireland medals last year and 10 of them are on the team for tomorrow's final.
This present under 21 side is arguably one of the best the county has produced since the championship was inaugurated in 1964. Prior to last year, Cork hadn't won the title since 1988, but the indications are that the county will not suffer such a barren spell again, primarily because of the success of the minors last Sunday.
Cork took all before them in this year's Munster campaign and were never in danger in any of the three games. Their team is vastly experienced with 10 of them current seniors, four of whom played against Clare this year.
If there is a weakness in the team it's possibly at midfield. Three different combinations have been tried there so far, but for tomorrow's final, the selectors have kept faith with the pair which played against Antrim in the semi-final, Austin Walsh and Luke Mannix.
Cork's best line is perhaps their half-backs. Derek Barrett, team captain Dan Murphy and Sean O´g O hAilpín have been outstanding all season and ensured a plentiful supply of ball into their forward colleagues who, as the above scorelines would suggest, have made maximum use of it.
Goalkeeper Donal O´g Cusack has been beaten only twice so far in the competition. He inspires tremendous confidence in his teammates with his coolness under pressure, his superb saves and lengthy deliveries.
Interestingly the three full backs, Wayne Sherlock, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Mark Prendergast did not figure on the 1995 winning minor team — they were minors in 1996 — but form a ring of steel around Cusack that Galway will find very hard to penetrate on Sunday.
Apart from Joe Deane up front, Cork are also well served by Brian O'Keeffe, Timmy McCarthy, Micky O'Connell, Neil Ronan and Sean O'Farrell.
O'Farrell made a major contribution to last year's final when introduced in the second half. His goal from almost on the end line was a classic score and helped Cork to a 3-11 to 0-13 victory. He has been struggling of late with a broken toe but is fully recovered and back to his best form.
According to Galway manager Noel Lane, his county suffers from the lack of competition in the early rounds of all hurling competitions, and this year's under 21 side is no exception.
"The Kilkenny match was our first outing in this year's championship. We've had to depend on challenge games to sharpen up the players and it's not the same as playing competitive matches," he said.
In that game against Kilkenny, Galway looked world beaters at times and very mediocre on other occasions. Their defence looked vulnerable and goalkeeper Nigel Murray, who went into that game with an injury, has been replaced by Tomas Grogan who is making his championship debut.
Keeping Joe Deane in check has been entrusted to Liam Madden and how he copes with that assignment could well decide the outcome of this clash.
In the final analysis it may all come down to how Deane and Broderick perform for their respective teams. Deane is well ahead in the scoring stakes with eight goals and 23 points to just six points for the Galway youngster, but in that context, the number of games must be taken into consideration.
Cork's greater experience, more competitive games played and the fact that they are the defending champions playing on a ground they consider their second home, should see the Leesiders retain their title and reaffirm the county's emergence as serious senior contenders for 1999.

Ebadiyla is primed for third classic

by Pat Keane
EBADIYLA can land the third classic of her career by taking the Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St Leger at the Curragh this afternoon.
John Oxx's star four-year-old has a lot going for her, particularly as the ground is likely to ride on the soft side. She has been lightly raced this season, with the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe always mapped out as her principal target.
Ebadiyla began the campaign with a less than promising effort behind Daylami at the Curragh back in May. But a short few weeks later, she showed the benefit of that outing when finishing a close third to Silver Patriarch and Swain, on a surface much too quick, at Epsom in the Coronation Cup.
She was then absent until failing to concede On Call 24 lbs at Leopardstown last month, going under by a length and a half.
The daughter of Sadler's Wells is likely to come on a bundle for that outing and reports of her recent homework are encouraging.
Last year Ebadiyla won the Irish Oaks at the Curragh, but put up her best display in the French Leger at Longchamp.
On heavy ground, she sluiced home, in that mile and extended seven furlongs event, by no less than six lengths.
Silver Patriarch was successful in last year's English Leger at Doncaster, but he's a horse who tends to run in snatches and, essentially, needs everything to go in his favour. Kayf Tara then looks a bigger worry.
He enjoyed his greatest moment when landing the two and a half mile Ascot Gold Cup in June.
Kayf Tara's since been beaten at Goodwood and Deauville. But connections believe the track at Goodwood was against him and the lack of pace in the Deauville contest was his undoing!
Boley Lass, trip and ground are perfect, can prove the solution to the EBF Nursery. She ran a nice race, over the minimum trip, behind Wish List and Blue Lotus at Cork last time and gets the nod ahead of Matanah.
The Aon McDonagh Boland Stakes is a real puzzle, with doubts about all five of the contestants. A little on Mempari might reap a dividend. She's disappointed of late, at Longchamp and York, but has some high class performances to her credit as well and might be worth risking. The improving Sarayan, a creditable second to Quinze at Leopardstown last weekend, looks the pick in the BPB Gypsum Industries Race.
It could be a great two days for Johnny Murtagh and he has come in for the plum ride aboard Aidan O'Brien's Coliseum in the Group One Aga Khan Studs National Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.
Coliseum was well beaten on his debut behind Globe Theatre at headquarters, but improved dramatically on that effort when three parts of a length second to Auction House at York. That form got a big boost when Auction House went on to beat Commander Collins in a Group Two at Doncaster and Coliseum gets the vote to reverse previous placings with Globe Theatre.
At the ninth attempt, Blue Lotus can get off the mark in the N Conlan and Sons Maiden. He had an impossible task at the weights at Cork last time when failing by two lengths to give Wish List 16lbs.
Take a chance with Chaparral Lady in the EBF Fillies Handicap. She handles cut in the ground and was far from disgraced when runner up to Robazala at Tralee.

Spying may be the undoing of Padova

by Barry Coughlan
THE espionage mission has been carried out and the report on the enemy has been passed on to headquarters. The troops on the ground have been issued with their orders and all that remains to be seen is whether the intelligence information gathered can help translate battle into victory.
A spy novel? No, merely a game of rugby, albeit a big game of rugby, today at Musgrave Park when Munster clash with Italian side Padova in the first round of the European Cup (2.30).
Not that Munster coach Declan Kidney will rely heavily on information received from team manager Jerry Holland, who was present to watch Padova decimate Modena last weekend.
Holland himself knew that the trip to Italy did not give him the answers he required, as Cup debutantes Padova, but with two years of European Conference competition behind them, put "something like 90 points" on their hapless opponents.
He was the first to admit that he has no way of knowing exactly how good the visitors really are.
Instead, Holland had to concentrate on their patterns of play and look particularly at a number of individuals who could pose problems for Munster, people like Marty Berry and Kelly Rolleston.
Holland described them as a strong, physical side with a lot of ability behind the scrum. "They are a typical Italian side with French flair, who are very good at the basics and at keeping possession."
Clearly then, Munster will attempt to starve them of the ball. To do that, Munster will firstly have to stop two second-row forwards — Italian cap Simone Stocco (6ft 8ins) and Alessandro Giacon (6ft 6ins) from providing the visitors with quality line-out possession.
The home side will have to use all of the options, and they have four targets to aim for, at their disposal.
But Munster will have to improve considerably in one area — that of ball retention.
Never was their inability to hold on to hard-won possession more forcibly hammered home than in the recent defeat by Ulster.
Captain Mick Galwey is conscious of these past mistakes but isn't unduly worried that they will continue.
"Mistakes like that don't carry on from match to match, but they do tend to happen when you rush things. It didn't help that we lost consecutive games to Leinster and Ulster because these defeats put us under pressure.
"We still played a lot better against Connacht and with a win under our belts the confidence has returned.
"This is the start of a new competition so in that sense we have a clean sheet. With last week's win and Europe to look forward to, I have no doubt about the ability of the lads to respond to a new challenge.
"It is a big one for us, but we have everything to play for. We got great support in our last European game at Musgrave Park and I am looking forward to more of the same." The Brass Band will be out to get the crowd in the mood, the weather should be good, and the Munster Branch are relying on the big turn-out of youngsters to boost the crowd.
Coach Kidney is conscious of the fact that Munster have been forced to make a change at out-half, but is not worried. While John Kelly returns after a knee problem to replace John Lacey, Killian Keane has been ruled out with a groin strain.
Meanwhile, manager Jim Glennon said Leinster were looking forward to their match against Welsh side, Llanelli. expressed the "It's going to be tough but we hope to maintain our current form and return home with the points," he said.
MUNSTER: D. Crotty (Garryowen), J. Kelly (Cork Constitution), B. Walsh (Cork Constitution), M. Lynch (Young Munster), A. Horgan (Cork Constitution), R. O'Gara (Cork Constitution), T. Tierney (Garryowen), P. Clohessy (Young Munster), M. McDermott (Shannon), J. Hayes (Shannon), M. Galwey (Shannon, captain), S. Leahy (Garryowen), E. Halvey (Shannon), A. Foley (Shannon), A. Quinlan (Shannon).
Replacements. B. O'Meara (Cork Constitution), B. Everitt (Garryowen), C. Mahony (Cork Constitution), I. Murray (Cork Constitution), F. Sheahan (Cork Constitution), D. Wallace (Garryowen), D. Corkery (Cork Constitution).
PADOVA: K. Rolleston, V. D'Anna, M. Piovene, R. Salvan, M. Baroni, M. Berry, H, De Marco, R. De Bernardo, A. Moretti, A. Muraro, A. Glacon, S. Stocco, R. Saetti, M. Birtig, R. Piovan.
Replacements. D. Piovan, S. Sanndonnini, T. Meacci, R. Rampazzo, A. Zulian, C. Cario, A. Castagna.
LEINSTER: K. Nowlan (St. Mary's), G. Dempsey (Terenure), M. Ridge (Old Belvedere), S. Horgan (Lansdowne), D. Hickie (St. Mary's), A. McGowan (Blackrock), D. Hegarty (Terenure), H. Hurley (Clontarf), S. Byrne (Blackrock), E. Byrne (St. Mary's), P. Holden (Terenure), G. Fulcher (Lansdowne, captain), T. Brennan (St. Mary's), V. Costello (Blackrock), C. Brownlie (Clontarf).
Replacements: B. Carey (Blackrock), D. O'Mahony (Lansdowne), G. D'Arcy (Lansdowne), H. Kos (Blackrock), D. O'Brien (Clontarf), P. Smyth (Blackrock), I. McLoughlin (Blackrock).

Shandon bell may toll for Cork in senior decider

by Charlie Mulqueen
SHANDON PARK will be seeking their thirteenth Bulmers Irish Senior Cup title and Cork Golf Club their fifth, when the sides meet in the final at Athlone this morning (10.45am).While Cork were well tested by Connacht champions, Connemara, in yesterday's first semi-final, Shandon Park had to go all the way to the third tie hole before making sure of their place in the decider. If anything, though, this was a surprise result and one that also demonstrated the remarkable strength and resilience of Shandon in the blue riband of inter-club golf in this country.
Accordingly, they go into today's match as favourites, with everybody hoping for a repeat of yesterday's good weather.
Cork lost the top match against Connemara, when Padraig Dooley went down on the 17th against David Mortimer. Tom Cleary, three ahead at the turn, was quickly pulled back to one by Derek McNamara, before he eventually finished it at the 17th. Then followed comfortable wins for young Mervyn Owens and Gary O'Flaherty over Kenneth Fahey and Michael Galvin, to see Cork through.
Owens, who was avenging his defeat by Fahey while defending the Munster Boys Championship at Shannon in July, has retained his place for today's clash with Shandon Park. This will be a major test for the Little Island side, chasing their first title since 1989. Cleary and Pat Lyons survive from that side.
Dooley again leads the way for Cork and comes up against former international, Neil Anderson, a Belfast pathologist who beat current West of Ireland champion, Noel Fox, by two holes in the top match against Portmarnock. Then followed wins for Portmarnock's Dermot Snow and Adrian Morrow against Philip Purdy and Robin Symes. However, Paul Byrne, one up with three to play, lost on the 18th against Barry Hobson and Colin Cassidy, one ahead with four to go, was taken to extra holes by Gary Lynas. Again, it was advantage Portmarnock at the 21st, when Cassidy was on the green in two and Lynas short and to the right. However, Cassidy charged his putt five feet past, Lynas holed from seven feet for par and Cassidy missed the one back.
Bulmers Irish Senior Cup semi-finals.
Cork 3 1/2, Connemara 1 1/2: P. Dooley lost to D. Mortimer 2 and 1; T. Cleary bt D. McNamaram 2 and 1; M. Owens bt K. Fahey 3 and 2; G. O'Flaherty bt M. Galvin 5 and 4; P. Lyons halved with G. O'Donnell.
Shandon Park 3, Portmarnock 2: N. Anderson bt N. Fox 2 holes; P. Purdy lost to D. Snow 3 and 2; R. Symes lost to A. Morrow 5 and 4; G. Lynas bt C. Cassidy at 21st; B. Hobson bt P. Byrne 1 hole.
Final, today, 10 45 a.m., Cork v Shandon Park, Dooley v Anderson; Cleary v Symes; Owens v Purdy; O'Flaherty v Lynas; Lyons v Hobson.

Kavanagh sets sights on top level racing

by Barry Cummins
IRELAND'S only female professional motor racing driver is setting her sights on being the first Irish woman to race in Formula 1.
Sarah Kavanagh (27) from Rathfarnham in South Dublin is currently racing in Formula 2, and recently became the first woman to compete in the Japanese Formula Nippon Championship, reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
Tomorrow, Sarah will make her debut in the Jordan 193 Formula 1 car at the Leinster Trophy Race Meeting at Mondello Park in county Kildare, where she will be the only woman on the grid.
The Jordan 193 was previously driven by champion driver Rubens Baricello, and is a further step on the road to Formula 1 racing for Sarah, who only started racing Karts in 1990.
Over 20,000 people are expected to attend this weekend's meeting, which today sees world rally championship leader Carlos Sainz of Spain race against a quality field, including Ireland's Austin McHale.
Kavanagh is hoping for a strong performance in tomorrow's Leinster Trophy race to further fuel her ambition to make the Formula 1 grade.
"In Formula 2, cars use engines with between 500 to 600 horse power. The Jordan 193 will have a 600 horse power engine. Formula 1 cars use up to 700 horse power. I know I can make the grade within a few years," she said.
Kavanagh recognises that she is unique in being one of the few women in the sport, but does not want favours.
"Of course I'll be delighted if I make it into Formula 1, but I won't just sit back if I do make it. My main ambition is to win a Formula 1 championship."

Carruth determined to make the most of his 'career highlight'

by Brendan Mooney
A WORLD title fight of the World Athletic Association version may be the prize when Michael Carruth takes on Scott Dixon at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght tonight.
But, for the 1992 Olympic welterweight champion it will already be a dream fulfilled when he climbs into the ring, for he has always wanted to top a bill in his native city.
"This is what I have always wanted since I turned pro," he said. "I mean since watching Wayne (McCullough) in the National Basketball Arena. That was one of the main reasons I turned pro.
"I always had that dream of topping a bill in Dublin and now the moment has arrived. I hope it is as good a night as Wayne had."
He admits that Scott Dixon is a formidable foe. "He is a good opponent all right. He is unbeaten to date and he has beaten a former British champion in Chris Saunders.
"It would be foolish of me to think that he is going to be easy. In fact I would see this fight going the full 12 rounds unless I can stop him. He has to be respected. He is more of a boxer who will go the long way round rather than choose the shorter route.
"I probably carry the bigger punch than him but I am still prepared to go the 12 rounds if need be.
"I'm looking forward to this fight. I have done all the work and I am happy with my preparation. I don't worry about his at all. I know exactly what I have done. I have not cheated. I'm 100% fit right now."
It will be the Dublin southpaw's first fight since losing a WBO world title fight to Michael Loewe on a disputed — not hometown — points decision in Aachen 12 months ago.
And the opportunity comes just when fans of the Olympic champion were beginning to fear he was on the road to nowhere.
In fact he will be relaunching his career before his hometown fans. He has split with Frank Warren and has taken his punching power to a new level under the tuition of the former undefeated WBO world super middleweight champ, Steve Collins.
An extra special performance tonight will brighten up his CV in anticipation of a crack at one of the other titles.
And he is thrilled with the undercard which features an Irish boxer in every fight. In fact is one of the best ever bills in this respect.
Unfortunately Shanagarry's Billy Walsh has had to cry off. The former national champion was scheduled to make his professional debut earlier in the year in Dublin but that show fell through.
And he is now suffering from an ankle injury which caused him to stop training.
But everyone else is there and Carruth guarantees a night of thrills at the Tallaght centre.
"We have Cathal O'Grady there, Jim Rock, Paul Griffin and Willie Valentine and we have Neil Sinclair coming down from the North as well.
"They are all class fighters. Look at the medals. Apart from my Olympic gold medal, there is Sinclair's Commonwealth gold, Paul Griffin's European senior gold and Cathal O'Grady's European junior gold."
The Carruth-Dixon fight will captivate the imagination, however. Both of them have results over the former British champion, Chris Saunders.
In June, 1996, at Mansfield, Carruth stopped him in 10 rounds while Dixon included him among his 16 victims on a record that also includes two draws.

Leinster men go in at the deep end

by Barry Coughlan
POOL A
SO much for being rewarded for endeavours leading to qualification. That's the way Leinster must feel after their draw in Pool A with Stade Francais, Begles-Bordeaux and Llanelli. True, Llanelli are no longer the force they once were and if Leinster can beat them at Stradey Park they'll beat them in Donnybrook.
But with two French sides in the group they'll be up against it. On the plus side, Leinster will take heart from the fact that Connacht beat Bordeaux twice last season in the Shield, on their way to winning Pool D.
To qualify - Stade Francais and Begles-Bordeaux (just).

POOL B
MUNSTER begin with the so-called easy one - against Padova. It mightn't be that easy, unless they produce the type of form they are capable of. Still, they can't be unhappy with the draw that puts them alongside the Italians, Neath and Perpignan. Padova are making their European debut and irrespective of their rise within Italy, Munster should have too much experience.
Neath got in the back door after the withdrawal of Cardiff and Swansea and if the Italians are on the up Neath look to be on the way down. They won't be easy opposition but, again, Munster should be too strong for them.
Perpignan are the team to watch and look to be ready-made qualifiers. Big names and big of physique, the French side finished as number two of their five qualifiers based on domestic competition last season, although that great season ended in disappointment when beaten in the final by Stade Francais.
To qualify - Perpignan and Munster (on form).

POOL C
ULSTER have a stronger panel this season than last but they have blown hot and cold. When they were hot (v Leinster at Donnybrook) they were very good. When they were cold (v Leinster at Ravenhill) they were very bad.
Toulouse will walk through this group and I severely doubt if any of the participants - Ulster, Edinburgh Reivers or Ebbw Vale have the bottle or the skill to take any points from them.
The second place is up for grabs and Ulster, despite their inconsistency, look to be the best of the others. They'll have to stabilise their form, however.
To qualify - Toulouse (runaway) and Ulster.

POOL D
COLOMIERS are tipped to come through this group ahead of Treviso, Glasgow Caledonians and Pontypridd, though not in that order. The French side make their Cup debut after winning the Shield last season in a hack.
Treviso and Glasgow look to be the losers because Pontypridd are a battle hardened lot (on and off the pitch). Embroiled in a major controversy when they played eventual finalists Brive last season they proved difficult opponents to everyone and finished third in the group.
With the experience gained the Welsh side can win.
To qualify - Colomiers and Pontypridd.