Team Loftus Recycling host Maree, from Oranmore, Galway, in the quarter-final of the Men’s Senior Cup at Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday evening with tip-of at 8pm. With Ronan McGarrity lining out for the side in the National Cup, the Ballina club see themselves as having a real opportunity to claim some national silverware this year, but they can expect a very tough match on Saturday night from a side that has been very impressive in their first season at senior, national level.
Despite a shock defeat to Queens, in Belfast, on Saturday afternoon, Loftus Recycling will be hopeful that the availability of a full squad and home advantage will be enough to see them reach the semi-final stages of the competition. However they would do well not to underestimate Maree who knocked out 1998 Cup winners, UCD Marian, in the previous round of the competition and inflicted a heavy defeat on Meadowlands St Brendan’s, Tralee, last Saturday in the National League. Bearing in mind the Tralee side defeated Ballina in recent weeks, the Galway team have shown that they are a very serious outfit indeed even if it is their first year competing at this level. They have not reached senior level overnight, however, and have been built on the back of years of success by Oranmore at underage and schools levels, it was only a matter of time before all of the talent emerging at youth level progressed to senior ranks.
Ballina have always regarded themselves as a cup team and have a good record in the competition. With Liam McHale back on the bench, and ready to take to the court if necessary, and Ronan McGarrity available for selection, Loftus Recycling will be expected to make it through to the semi-final but they can expect a very stiff contest indeed if Maree’s record so far this season counts for anything.
This could be another battle that goes down to the wire and should provide good entertainment for the home crowd which is expected for this game.
