Although missing from the sidelines this month due to illness, Aidan Kidney, former coach of both Clontarf and Glenanne, will take a typically enthusiastic interest in the outcome of tomorrow's Leinster Senior League game between these two clubs at DCU.
The ebullient Kidney played a significant role in the advance of Clontarf towards first division status and guided Glenanne to their first senior trophy when they won the Mills Cup in 1996. He also moved Glenanne to Top Four status as well as coaching the Leinster under-21s in their rise to supremacy.
Glenanne, now with Noel Keogh at the helm, enjoyed the boost of beating Pembroke Wanderers in the Stephen Doyle trophy semi-final in midweek. They are sure to be too dynamic for Clontarf this weekend but the newly promoted side gained some encouragement in containing Pembroke for two thirds of last Saturday's league game. Eoin MacCoille epitomises the eagerness of the side.
Similarly, Aer Lingus remain undaunted in the premier division. Captained by Thomas Parsons, they held Three Rock Rovers to a 1-1 draw but they cannot expect a similar result against tomorrow's visitors Pembroke. The champions are awaiting the opportunity to be unleashed.
Railway Union, top scorers to date, may well have the rhythm to take the points from Three Rock at Grange Road, particularly as Rovers have been unable to field a settled line-up for a myriad of reasons. "It's like a pigeon house," says coach Harold de Jong. "The players keep going in and out." At least there is stability in defence with Alan Bothwell having the support of Angus Dunlop and Ross Harris. Two of last season's attackers, Charlie Carroll and Christian Judd, are going to Trinity while Garry Ringwood is in Australia.
Joint leaders, YMCA, so close to relegation in the spring, stunned Glenanne at Ballinteer last week, so there is little reason why they shouldn't tame Corinthians as well.