St Mary's can derail Raheny

Niall Scully

RAHENY v ST MARY'S (Tonight, O'Toole Park, 7.15)

THERE will be a good crowd at this one. It is wrapped with intrigue. It could have a frantic tempo.

Raheny, under Hill 16 hero, Ciarán Whelan, are moving with intent in Division 2. Four wins from four.

They had three lads involved with the Dublin U21s, Paddy O'Higgins, Eoin Keogh and David Shatwell.

They have some nice talent coming through out in St Anne's Park with the likes of Eoin Delaney, Paddy Reid and Dublin minor of last year Gavin Ivory also to the fore.

Mary's have only lost one in Division 1. That was against Plunkett's. Bernard Brogan did the damage.

"The league in Dublin is very strong and competitive, but you just can't beat the championship," notes Mary's manager, Jimmy Callaghan.

Not many beat Seamus Walsh when he rises to the clouds, just like the Whelo of old. Blaine Kelly is a stylish Saint.

Raheny's David Henry will cover the turf and will act like their on-field lieutenant.

The Saggart men will look to the Marshalls, Conor Broderick and Eoin Murray to find the way home.

Whelo floated some great ideas in his Evening Herald column last Friday.

He'll need to have retained a few tactical nuggets in the back pocket for this clash. It's going to be very tight.

The victors to tackle Clondalkin's Tower's or St Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh in the second round.

VERDICT: St Mary's