St Peter"s prepare

St Peter"s FC face the biggest occasion in their 28-year history when they face Ballymun Utd in the final of the prestigious Umbro FAI Junior Challenge Cup at Tolka Park, Dublin on Sunday (2.30pm). Although eliminated from the first round of the FAI Senior Cup by Bluebell Utd last weekend, St Peter"s have enjoyed a remarkable rollercoaster season to date, and their appearance in Sunday"s junior football showpiece puts them on course to become the first team from Athlone to capture the FAI Junior Cup since Athlone Town triumphed back in 1938. Along the way, the Athlone side have disposed of last year"s winners Carrick Utd and the 2005 champions Westport Utd, as well as Hanover Harps, Crettyard Utd, Portlaoise, Culdaff, Lisselton Rovers and, most recently, Clonmel Town in the semi-final. The Athlone side expect several hundred supporters to travel to Dublin and boost their quest for the title on Sunday at Tolka Park - the home of League of Ireland club Shelbourne. But St Peter"s have a couple of injury concerns before the big game, with goalkeeper and captain Keith Hynes one of the biggest doubts through a groin strain. Hynes missed last weekend"s 1-0 defeat to Bluebell Utd in the FAI Senior Cup first round and if he fails to make Sunday"s game, reserve "keeper Philip Dully will continue between the posts. Right-back Eoin Fox is also rated very doubtful at this stage after recently picking up a knee injury. Like Hynes, Fox was also absent from last weekend"s match against Bluebell, and former Athlone Town fringe player Declan Fallon is expected to continue in the right-back slot given Fox"s unavailability. However, long-serving club man Gareth Gaffey can also ably occupy this position. Midfield terrier Patrick Craughwell has been carrying a troublesome ankle injury in recent weeks and been forced to play through the pain barrier at times, but Craughwell has been an important figure throughout St Peter"s cup run and would seem unlikely to miss out on Sunday. Aidan Warde, too, has a knee injury and couldn"t take a place in the last weekend"s squad, but will possibly be available this time around. Otherwise, St Peter"s will look to experienced performers Adrian Carberry, player-manager Michael Collins, Stephen Mullan and Tom Silke for guidance through Sunday"s big game, with less experienced but potential match-winners like Dave Donohoe and Mark Sherlock also important to their chances of success. Ballymun, who already knocked Athlone"s Willow Park out of the quarter-finals of the Leinster Junior Cup this season, also have major injury problems, with ace goalscorer and Irish junior international hotshot Barry Kavanagh their greatest concern. Kavanagh netted the only goal in Ballymun"s somewhat fortunate 1-0 victory over Willow Park and has amassed 24 goals in all competitions this season. However, Kavanagh recently sustained a nasty knee injury in a local derby against Sandyhill Celtic and is a huge doubt for Sunday, which would represent a major lift for St Peter"s. Ballymun, who are still contesting on five fronts this season, also have slight worries over midfield pairing Dave McDonnell (knee) and Peter O"Reilly (hamstring). Ballymun manager Casey McQuillan said: 'Barry is our leading scorer and we"ve fingers crossed about his availability, but he"s a huge doubt.' Kavanagh recently withdrew from the Irish junior international team"s trip to Italy - which St Peter"s winger Dave Donohoe took part in - and his unavailability would come as a major setback to Ballymun"s hopes of capturing a first junior cup title since 2001. Kavanagh, however, is far from Ballymun"s only threat, with fellow attacker Dave Kane already chipping in with 16 goals this season. Goalkeeper Karl Donnelly was man of the match in Ballymun"s victory over Willow Park and carries a very good reputation at this level, while right-sided players Liam Byrne and Paul Doolan, left winger Rodge Keeley and central defensive duo Kevin Murray and Richie O"Brien could also be key for the Dublin outfit. Ballymun are major favourites with bookmakers Paddy Power offering odds of just 2/5 for the Dublin club to beat St Peter"s, who themselves can be backed to win at 7/4. Anyone interested in travelling to the game can contact St Peter"s secretary Paul Phillips on 087 9174197 or any other member of the St Peter"s committee. (See further preview and St Peter"s player profiles on page 29).