Soccer
Raheny United & Castlebar Celtic
By Stephen Finn
2, Nov 2013 - 09:10

Raheny United & Castlebar Celtic set for FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup Final

MASTER and pupil will go head to head this Sunday when holders Raheny United defend their FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup against Castlebar Celtic at Aviva Stadium (12.20pm).

Former Athlone Town boss Terry Eviston is Raheny boss while his former winger Adrian Carberry is now coaching Castlebar Celtic.

Eviston admits it's an interesting additional story to a game that is already lining up to be an intriguing encounter.

"I managed Adrian at Athlone Town, he was a cracking winger for me. It's great to be now managing against him in a cup final," said Eviston.

Carberry is looking forward to taking on his former boss but admits that Raheny United are the red hot favourites - they beat Celtic 9-2 in a wind-swept league game last month.

"Terry is a nice man, a clever football man who was a great player. It's interesting for me to go up against him as a coach," said Carberry.

"It's a new experience for me. It's a learning experience for me and the team. It's a pity we haven't had a game since the league game but training has been good. It's probably good that when our mistakes did happen that they're all in one game so we just hope they're out of the way now.

"In football, no two games are the same. If we play the way we can play we'll have a chance. Hopefully the girls listen to what we're telling them. The gap between the sides isn't as big as people may think and we do have a chance."

Eviston is in his first season with the Bus Éireann Women's National League champions and his side has won every fixture he has taken charge of so far.

He does not expect a repeat of that remarkably one-sided score-line from two weeks ago but acknowledges that there are a variety of factors at play that will make Sunday's fixture a test for both sides.

"At half-time in the league game there was nothing in it. The conditions that day were a major factor. When you come off a result like that and the next meeting is a cup final it's a different dynamic," he said.

"That score-line was a bit unreal. There's no easy game at this level and all the players know that.

"We're doing our best to keep feet everybody's feet on the ground after the good start we've had. I have my own past experience of this to call upon and it's my job to make sure the players remain focused. A lot of people can get distracted around a cup final.

"It's huge to play in the best stadium in the country and playing a game at the highest level too. A lot of factors could distract you but knowing the quality of our squad and the commitment of the players I'm confident they can represent themselves well."

Eviston's playing career with Bohemians, Athlone, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers included a number of cup finals and he knows that the lead-up to the game can be a mental test.

"My first final experience was Bohs-Limerick in 1982 but I wasn't playing after breaking my ribs in the semi-final against Dundalk. I was in four other finals and was at the wrong end of a few losses," he recalls.

"I'm very much aware that the occasion can pass you by depending on the personality of the players. Some players love playing on the higher the stage the better while others get stage-fright - there's nothing worse than somebody getting to that stage and not showing what this can do."

Raheny are at full strength with Seana Cooke likely to make an appearance at some point. She is heading to a full-time contract with English club Durham WFC in the new FA Super League.

"I'm delighted for Seana to get the opportunity to play and train full-time. She's been brilliant for us and is a top player," added Eviston.

Castlebar's Shauna Jackson is out with ankle ligament damage but other than that Carberry has a full squad to choose from.

"We've got to defend tighter and not leave our defence open. If you don't work as a team you'll be found out. Communication is vital on a big pitch like the Aviva," added Carberry.

"Raheny haven't played in Aviva before either so hopefully that evens things out a bit. It's a great experience for everybody involved. I have to say fair play to John Delaney and the FAI for putting the game on there.

"It's something all the players will remember for the rest of their lives. We know Raheny are the favourites but look at Wigan in the FA Cup Final against Man City last season - you always have a chance, we're fine with being the underdogs."

FIXTURE

FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup Final
Raheny United v Castlebar Celtic, Aviva Stadium (12.20pm). Referee: Marie Ward.