Umbro FAI Junior Cup Final Preview

ST PETER"S are bidding to become the first Athlone side to win the coveted FAI Junior Cup for 71 years when they face highly rated Dublin outfit Ballymun Utd in the final at Tolka Park, Dublin on Sunday (2.30pm). If St Peter"s can achieve what seemed the unthinkable before the competition began with over 700 entrants last year, they will become the first local club to win the FAI Junior Cup since Athlone Town beat Bendigo Utd in the 1938 decider. No Athlone club has managed to reach the final since 1938, with Athlone Town"s 1935 win over Evergreen the only other time a local club has contested the final to date. However, St Peter"s have defied the odds on several occasions this year to see off the likes of previous winners Carrick Utd and Westport Utd, as well as Lisselton Rovers and Clonmel Town in the previous couple of rounds. The opposition this weekend, Ballymun Utd, have already played against Athlone opposition this year, narrowly beating Willow Park in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Junior Cup. Ballymun last won the title in 2001 and were beaten by Fairview Rangers in the decider two years earlier. The Dublin side go into this weekend"s final with several injury worries including to top scorer Barry Kavanagh, who recently sustained a knee injury in a local derby against Sandyhills Celtic and looks unlikely to start against St Peter"s. Either way, St Peter"s are likely to go into Sunday"s game as outsiders and will face a very difficult challenge to overcome Ballymun. The "Westmeath Independent" now takes a closer look at the St Peter"s squad and profiles each player who has contributed to this excellent and hugely memorable cup run to date. Name: Keith Hynes. Position: Goalkeeper (captain). Age: 32. Occupation: Key Account Manager. Keith lists his previous clubs as Connaught Utd, Athlone Town, St Kieran"s and Mullingar Athletic. Keith has been part of the St Peter"s revival both on and off the park in recent years and his dedication has been there for all to see. Very good at one-on-ones, Keith"s excellent reflexes have saved Peter"s on more than one occasion during this cup run. (Sponsored by Cllr Ray Lennon). Name: Eoin Fox. Position: Right Back. Age: 25. Occupation: Garda. Eoin joined St Peter"s from Athlone Town under-21s in 2005 having come through the ranks from St Francis schoolboys. Played centre-half during the 2006 campaign and has just recently settled in the side at full-back having had his share of hamstring problems throughout the year. Thankfully, Fox"s injuries seem behind him and is a very solid and consistent performer for the Hoops. (Sponsored by Cllr Kieran Molloy). Name: Paul Murphy. Position: Left Back. Age: 25. Occupation: Stone Mason. 'Murph' played schoolboy football for Willow Park before a couple of seasons under St Peter"s coach Padraig Dully at Athlone Town youths and under-21s. A tough tackling, no-nonsense full-back who has worked hard all season. Having one of his best and most consistent seasons to date. (Sponsored by Cllr Paul Hogan). Name: Rory McGowan. Position: Centre Back. Age: 23. Occupation: Engineer. Rory came to the club last year after a couple of seasons concentrating on playing Gaelic football with Garrycastle and rugby with Buccaneers. Has played schoolboy football with St Francis and has formed a great understanding with central defensive partner Tom Silke this year. Was particularly excellent in the FAI Junior Cup quarter-final match against Lisselton. (Sponsored by Gateway Insurance, Athlone). Name: Tom Silke. Position: Centre Back, assistant manager. Age: 32. Occupation: Marketing Manager. Tom is enjoying his football this season having had some back trouble in 2005. Has turned out for St Francis schoolboys, Athlone youths, Galway Utd, Longford Town and Athlone Town, and once scored in an FAI Cup semi-final for Athlone against Cork City. "Silky" has a medal from Longford Town"s FAI cup success in 2003 and is a crucial player for St Peter"s given his experience and knowledge of the game. (Sponsored by The Palace Bar). Name: Dave Donoghue. Position: Right Winger. Age: 22. Occupation: Social Worker. David is just back from Italy where he lined out for the Irish junior international team in two friendlies in Sardinia. Joined St Peter"s in 2007 having signed from Heatmerchants, where he played in the Roscommon & District FL. Prior to that, Dave lined out for Athlone Town U21s. Dave"s pace has been a huge asset to St Peter"s during this cup run and still has enormous potential for further improvement. (Sponsored by Dooley"s Flowers). Name: Adrian Carberry. Position: Centre or Left Midfield/Attacker. Age: 34. Occupation: Community Development Officer (FAI). Adrian is back with St Peter"s after playing for the club and Connaught Utd through his formative years. In 1994, Adrian Joined Athlone Town and played until 2001, before joining Galway Utd. In 2005, "Cabs" came back to St Peter"s after a spell with Willow Park and won a double under Tommy Hewitt. Returned to the club this season after a spell with neighbours Willow Park, where he won a Combined Counties League title. Once netted a famous goal for Athlone Town in an FAI Cup quarter-final against Longford Town that sealed Athlone"s place in the semi-final. (Sponsored by Samz Tavern). Name: Patrick Craughwell. Position: Centre Midfield. Age: 27. Occupation: Carpenter. Patrick is back in the St Peter"s fold having played with Melville Utd for four seasons in the Combined Counties League and has proved a valuable addition to the team this season. A tough tackling midfielder, his ball-winning skills are second to none at the club. Patrick is another who came through the St Peter"s ranks as a schoolboy (Sponsored by The Shamrock Lodge Hotel). Name: Michael Collins. Position: Centre/Left Midfield (manager). Age: 32. Occupation: Warehouse Supervisor. Michael is another who joined during the summer, having played for Willow Park and Mullingar Athletic for the two previous seasons. Prior to that, Mickey was one of the longest serving Athlone Town players having played his first senior game for them in 1994 after returning from Millwall. Another who played his schoolboy football with St Francis, this is Collins" first attempt at management and it"s certainly a case of so far so good for the likeable midfielder. (Sponsored Tubs & Tiles, Dublin Road, Athlone). Name: Stephen Mullan. Position: Midfield/Forward. Age: 28. Occupation: IDA Executive. Stephen joined in 2007 having had a couple years out to get married and concentrate on work commitments with the IDA. Stephen played with St Francis as a schoolboy before joining Athlone Town, where he established himself for many years as a striker of some repute. Mullan later played for Sligo Rovers under Don O"Riordan and made over 200 league of Ireland appearances. (Sponsored by Michael Claffey Auctioneering). Name: Mark Sherlock. Position: Striker. Age: 26. Occupation: Garda. Mark has come into his own this year, has won games on his own this year having been the club"s only goalscorer on a couple of occasions. Sherlock was a bit of a late developer in that he only joined St Peter"s as a 17-year-old, but since then has played for Athlone Town in two separate stints and the Irish National Garda Team that came fourth in the European Police Championships in 2007. Given half a chance on Sunday, Sherlock could be the St Peter"s match winner. (Sponsored by Anthony Sherlock). Name: Brian Caldwell. Position: Striker. Age: 25. Occupation: Athlone IT Student. Caldwell is St Peter"s through and through, and joined the club as an under-10 before playing for every age-group en-route to the senior team. Had a year with Willow Park during St Peter"s sabbatical in 2006. Caldwell is excellent at holding the ball up and probably the best natural finisher at the club. Won a Combined Counties League and Cup double in 2005 and was inspirational when coming off the bench in the semi-final victory over Clonmel Town, netting twice during extra-time and sealing a place in the final. (Sponsored by Damian Kelly Savings & Investments). Name: Craig Tone. Position: Left Midfield. Age: 19. Occupation: Athlone IT Student. Craig joined the club recently from Athlone Town having decided to take a step back from league football to gain some first-team experience. Craig has a great left peg for crosses and gave the team another dimension in the semi-final when sprung from the bench. (Sponsored by Supermac"s). Name: Gareth Gaffey. Position: Right Back. Age: 29. Occupation: Tesco employee. "Gaffo" has played with St Peter"s since he was eight years old and when not training, is a follower of the Premier League and his beloved Toffees. A very dependable and loyal player who gives his all. (Sponsored by Gerry McHugh). Name: Pascal Dillon. Position: Right Midfield. Age: 29. Occupation: Bar Manager. Pascal is having a fine season and has taken a few by surprise. Is very committed both on and off the pitch, and joined last year with the formation of the club"s B team. "Packie" has stepped up to score some crucial goals. Has been a regular contributor from the bench during this cup run. (Sponsored by Q Nite Club). Name: Aidan Ward. Position: Forward/Winger. Age: 26. Occupation: Sales Merchandiser. Aidan has been unlucky this year with injuries, but is a very confident player who thrives when given the ball early. Has played for St Peter"s most of his days although he did play for Willow Park when St Peters took the year out in 2006. (Sponsored by The Castle Inn). Name: Brian Carr. Position: Centre Back. Age: 26. Occupation: IT Engineer. Brian joined the club this year having taken some time out of football to play GAA. Played with Summerhill (now St Joseph"s), St Francis and Athlone Town youths. Brian hasn"t let anyone down when called upon this year and has contributed with a couple of crucial goals. Dangerous from set-pieces and not afraid to put his head where others wouldn"t put their feet. (Sponsored by Cooney"s Pharmacy). Name: Declan Fallon. Position: Defender/Midfield. Age: 21. Declan is another recent addition having played for Athlone Town last season. He has played at right-back for Athlone and is a workhorse whose well able to do box-to-box. Is on the periphery of the first-team having only recently signed for St Peter"s. (Sponsored by Rasher/AD Cabs). Name: Philip Dully. Position: Goalkeeper. Age: 22. Occupation: Student. Dully has stepped up this season and helped first-choice "keeper Hynes with training. Is having a great season with the B team, however, this will be his last involvement for some time as Philip heads off for the Mediterranean for the summer. (Sponsored by Seamie Qualter/Willie McGrath, The Connaught Lounge). Name: Alan McCaul. Position: Goalkeeper. Age: 28. Occupation: Hotel Manager. Alan has been a great help both on and off the pitch this year. In the early stages, he pushed Keith Hynes hard in training but due to work commitments and his marriage has had to step back a bit. (Sponsored by Athlone Town Committee). Name Padraig Dully. Position: Coach. Age: 44. Occupation: Social Worker. "Dutchy" is one of the best known faces in Athlone soccer and has been a great addition to the training sessions this year. His career began with Athlone Town and impressive form earned him a move to Shelbourne in the close season of 1990, where he played the best football of his career. It was certainly the most rewarding period of his footballing travels. In 1992, he won the league with Shelbourne and Tolka Park - the venue for Sunday"s game - holds some very fond memories for him. (Sponsored by The Snug Bar). Name: John Tiernan. Position: Physio/Fitness Coach. "Jocky" has carried the bag for St Peter"s for the second half of the season but was heavily involved in the 2004, 05, 06 seasons under Tommy Hewitt and Colum McDaid. John is a keen middle-distance runner and a very important member of the backroom staff. (Sponsored by the Olde Oak Bar). Name: Dylan Carberry. Team Mascot. "Dillers" has been at more training sessions than most and plays his football with "Dutchy" at St Francis schoolboys. Loves the great outdoors and when not training with a football can be seen with a hare, a couple of greyhounds and Mr Hannon! A nephew of key player Adrian Carberry. (Sponsored by The Grove, Baylough).