Local rivals lock horns in crucial league clash

CLOSE rivals Willow Park and St Peter's lock horns this evening in a potentially vital fixture in deciding the outcome of this year's Combined Counties Football League Senior Division (Wednesday, Willow Park, 7.30pm).

Willow, under the management of Tony O'Sullivan, are chasing a sixth straight Senior Division title but St Peter's are likely to provide formidable opposition.

Now coached by former Athlone Town and Shelbourne striker, Padraig Dully, St Peter's are currently in a mid-table position in the league but with games in hand on those directly above them. They shocked most local observers earlier this season when knocking Willow Park out of the FAI Junior Cup (they were then managed by Derek Moran).

With former Athlone Town players Adrian Carberry, Eric Molloy and Mark Sherlock in their ranks, St Peter's will be hoping to pick up three points tonight and in the process put a major dent in Willow's quest to retain the title.

Willow are currently six points adrift of league leaders Mullingar Athletic (who they still have to play at home) but with two games in hand (including tonight's important fixture).