WHILE all around them carry on as normal, Galway United and Athlone Town seem to be having their own private competition this season. Though the staple, and ultimately more important, diet of three First Division encounters have still to come around, these clubs will be meeting for the fourth time already this term in tonight's first League Cup semi final at Terryland Park.

Athlone lead Galway 2-1 in their head to head tally thus far, although Galway exacted full revenge for their defeat in the round robin stages of this competition by overcoming Athlone by 2-1 on aggregate in the Shield semifinals.

Regarded as something of a local derby, allowing for a 60 mile gap, there's always a keen edge to their encounters in any event. The crossover in players has been given added piquancy by the inclusion in Athlone's squad of new signing Gerry Mullen, the stylish 32 year old midfielder who made his debut for Galway back in 1981 and has been a pivotal figure ever since.

Partners in relegation last season, both accounted for Premier Division opposition in the previous round, Derry and Dundalk respectively, though their early status as promotion favourites was undermined by weekend defeats to Cobh and Longford.

The Athlone born and former Town stalwart, Galway manager Dennis Clarke, always regarded that unwanted tag as premature in any event. Promotion remains his priority as it does for his recently installed counterpart, Terry Eviston. But whereas the managers may at least endeavour to see the broader picture more clearly, there's little doubt that Terryland Park's biggest crowd of the season and the prospect of a Cup final against Bohemians or Cork (who meet tomorrow night) will have the respective players as wound up for this game as any other this season.

Galway are at full strength and Athlone's one enforced absentee is Tommy Hewitt, match winner against Dundalk, while Michael Collins is doubtful. Athlone won this competition three times in the early 80s and Galway beat Dundalk on a memorably joyous night for the club in Tolka Park in January 1986.