Riverdale V Lakeside

This Sunday 05/04/09 sees the final of the Tipperary Spring League in Larkspur Park at 09.30am. The ever impressive Riverdale team have once again qualified for the final but an emerging Lakeside team rallied over the final stages of the league to narrowly defeat Hillview by the narrowest of margins.

Riverdale Captain Rory Hogan will have his charges ready for action in order to retain their title. The stranglehold that Riverdale have on this Championship is simply breathtaking. Since the competitions inception back in the 90's Riverdale have only missed the final on a number of occassions. Going to print Riverdale have not released their team due to tactics but we will try and predict who will be on the team. Sean Minogue has been an ever present presence in the final for them and he will be eager to get another win. 2008 Tipperary Inter County stars John O'Meara and Stephen Shoer will be expected to make up the remaining senior team and Lakeside face a daunting prospect to overhaul these 3 tremendous players. The remaining Intermediate & Junior players from Riverdale is a little more difficult to predict who will be playing. Paul Shoer Snr will definitely be playing after his fantastic score at Larkspur Park in the league stage. Paul Shoer Jnr should be there or there abouts also. The evergreen Victor Long and his son Brian will be knocking on the door but will Rory open it is the question. We expect PJ Ryan who missed out last year due to other committments to return to the final stage. A steely competitor at the best of times, PJ will be anxious to get back in the winners enclosure. Simon Ryan has played well in the league also and could feature. No matter who Riverdale pick on their team they will start the final as Favourites, a tag that is justified.

The Lakeside Eight have been in Larkspur Park on no more than 4 occassions practicing. Captain Paddy Quinn has left no stone unturned to ensure that his charges have every angle covered so that his players can perform to the highest standard. Paul O'Brien, has won everything in Tipperary Pitch & Putt except a Spring League Title, so you can imagine he will be fired up to do well. Noel Stapleton and Davy Morrissey all have the experience needed to deal with the pressures this final will bring. Pat Kennedy the last Captain to lead Lakeside to the League Title is in the form of his life and anxious to do well. Ronan Loughnane is in and out this season but he has reasurred Paddy that is most definitely IN this Sunday. Alan Maher a former All Strokeplay Runner Up ensure Lakeside made the final with his score in Cashel. The ever steady Anthony Maher will lead the Junior charge but he is followed by undoubtedly the player of the league Brian Cahill. Lakeside have talent in abundance but really need to gel quickly as a team if they are pose a threat to their seasoned opponents.

Larkspur Park, probably the best course in the country at present should see a feast of Pitch & Putt this coming Sunday. Who will win though, is the big question on everybodies lips. Why not call over on Sunday morning to lend your support to what should be a cracker of a final.