GLANMIRE MORE LIKELY WINNERS

The women’s final has all the ingredients of being a cup classic.

The Address UCC Glanmire and DCU Mercy have had some right ding-dong battles over the last 10 or 15 years — and Declan King is sure tomorrow’s game will be no different.

Irish women’s head coach James Weldon gave Declan his lowdown on the two teams.

JW: “These two clubs have great cup pedigrees. It is a massive game, they really don’t come any bigger than this, that’s for sure.

Incredible

“The two Marks, Scannell and Ingle, have incredible records over the last 15 years or so.

“The way they have rebuilt their teams on more than one occasion in that period has been hugely impressive. It speaks volumes of the cultures they have both developed at their respective clubs.” DK: Definitely, it has been an unusual season for Glanmire with changes in Americans and a few players missing.

JW: “It’s been difficult to manage and the disruption of having to make these changes to the pro players hasn’t helped, but I think Mark and the players have managed that really well.

“I also hear from agents in Europe that it’s become very difficult to recruit with the NCAA’s extension of player eligibility over Covid-19.

“Carrie Shepherd and

Áine McKenna have formed a great partnership in the backcourt. Shepherd is so explosive and fun to watch.

“Tierney Pfirman looks to be a very good player, too, who has had a very solid career to date; these two league games she had should help her fit in to the Glanmire system.”

DK: DCU were, perhaps, a little lucky in the semi-final against WIT Wildcats.

JW: “Possibly, but I also think you make your luck in the cup, too. They had a lot of turnovers in that game, but what was impressive about them was they kept playing solid and stuck to their game plan until they made their run in the second half; albeit,

BAL’S IN HER COURT : Glanmire’s Áine McKenna is a standout player the last 50 seconds was a bit crazy.”

DK: Can you tell us what is happening in the two squads?

JW: “What’s been really impressive with Glanmire is they are probably without three top players that would start on a lot of teams.

“Even in the semi-final, they played with just the one pro (Shepherd), but you have to credit some of their role players who have really put their hands up and taken their chance.

“DCU may not have the depth, but they have plenty of talent, too, and we can’t forget it was a very close game in Cork earlier in the season.

Excellent

“And captain Hannah Thornton has had a really incredible season, while the Americans are, potentially, excellent.”

DK: You have mentioned the depth in the Glanmire squad a few times.

JW: “Yes, Glanmire still have depth and they like to play fast, so DCU will have to mind the ball better; they also have great shot selection to minimise break opportunities.

“DCU will try and slow the game as much as possible and make it a physical battle. Rachel Huijsdens, Thornton, both Americans and Maeve Phelan have been such really consistent performers for them.

“How DCU try to manage Claire Melia, McKenna and Shepherd will be interesting to see.

“For Glanmire, Melia and McKenna’s brilliant ability to create for their teammates will be vital.”

DK: Listening to what you have to say, I get a feeling you are leaning towards Glanmire.

JW: “It’s a tough one to call, but I’d have to give a slight edge to Glanmire just because they have that little more depth in their squad.”