LISNAGARVEY, in their ninth final in 10 years, field eight players who, between them, have made more than 500 international appearances, in tomorrow's Nissan sponsored Irish Senior Cup decider at Belfield.
In contrast, Pembroke Wanderers include just two figures who have gained Ireland caps goal keeper Nigel Henderson (three in Kuala, Lumpur in March) and the captain, Devin Donnelly, who wore the green shirt on the pre World Cup excursion to Spain.
These of course, are mere statistics. Pembroke, while aiming, to carry off the trophy for the first time since 1973, have become a most accomplished side, notably in winning the all Ireland championship two years ago. They showed against Instonians, when Henderson was unbeatable and against Holywood that their capabilities are substantial this season.
In the same way that they were frustrated, by Railway Union in the semi final before prevailing in extra time, so they themselves can tie down Lisnagarvey but to what degree, it remains to be seen.
Pembroke stalwart Peter Murphy, who was the club's observer at the Lisnagarvey Banbridge semi final, felt that Jimmy Kirkwood was still the most influential figure on the pitch by a mile in the eventual outcome (6-3).
The Olympic gold medallist was always to the fore in the Lisburn, brigade's seven successive triumphs in the Irish Cup up, to 1995. It seemed, too, that Kirkwood had once again ruined Avoca's hopes in the first instalment of last season's epic final when he broke away to put the ball in the net, only to have what would have been a crucial goal disallowed and instead it was Robbie Ryan who sank the winner for Avoca in the Sunday replay.
Kirkwood, by all accounts has been pacing himself wisely, reaching peak form as Lisnagarvey put in their powerful finish also to take the Ulster league title again. Furthermore, the captain, Robbie Taylor, is "pretty fired up" after the disappointments in Malaysia. Alan Dowd, Daniel Clarke and Julian Stevenson, too, can contribute much to the performance tomorrow.
However, as the astute Murphy observes, Pembroke are an amazingly fluid team and Johnny Cole reads the game well." Peter Young's recovery from injury means that the defence will be stabilised and as regards the curbing of Kirkwood and Taylor, it would seem that the unflagging Andy Cooke and the tigerish Turlough O Siochain have the ideal credentials.
As regards Pembroke switching to the offensive, Francis de Rosa has become particularly adept at overlapping from the back and then as the rotating midfield system swings into gear, the dynamism of Donnelly and the probing of Padraig Carley might well yield opportunities for Stephen Stewart or Simon Kershaw to add some finishing touches.
Probably, more opportunities will still fall to Lisnagarvey, so Henderson, having shown his worth in Malaysia (notably in coping with the abandonment of off side) is bound to be a key figure.
