Connacht Cup Final Preview

Ballinasloe Town v Athenry FC

Next Sunday at the Roscommon and District League grounds Lecarrow Ballinasloe Town take on the Galway Premier Division side Athenry F C with a 2.00 pm Kick off. Ballinasloe Town are going for their 4th Connacht Cup win having lifted the trophy in 2004, 2013 and 2014. Unfortunately it looks like they may be without their central defender Des Hope who suffered a knee injury last Sunday and their leading goal scorer this season Liam Lynch. However they welcome back their regular keeper Aidan Fallon who was injured in their Semi- Final win over Mervue United. On their way to the final Ballinasloe beat Castlebar Celtic at Castlebar, NUIG 6 – 2 at Ballinasloe, Ballaghaderreen and in the Semi Final they beat the title holders Mervue United in an exciting penalty shoot out after the game finished level at a goal apiece.

Ballinasloe Town had an impressive win over Castlebar Celtic at Castlebar in an earlier round and beat NUIG 6 – 2 at Galway in the previous round. Liam Lynch, Mark Duffy, Peter Keighery and Manood are just some of their goal scorers in the previous rounds and having won the Connacht cup on 3 previous occasions they will be hoping to go all the way again this season. There is no doubt but Ballinasloe Town have a very experienced side and they will not panic on the big occasion. They have talented players such as Shane and Mark Duffy, Peter Keighery, Aidan Fallon, Darragh Concannon, Shane Tracey and David Nee. Young Jordan O Leary and Manood Giumma will enjoy the wide spaces in Lecarrow and they could have a big bearing on how things go on Sunday.
Athenry are one of the top sides in the Galway League having been league Champions last season. They have won the Connacht Cup on four previous occasions but were beaten in the last two finals by Mervue United and Westport United.

This will be a big test for Ballinasloe Town but they are a very good side and with home support they could win their fourth title.