THE RESPECTIVE management of both Milford United and Kilmacrennan Celtic know today’s Milford Area final in the Brian McCormick Sports Cup offers an opportunity to spark their seasons.
The sides meet at Moyle View Park (kick-off 2pm) for silverware and progression to the semi-finals of the competition, which will roll in come springtime.
Milford (pictured top) manager Noel Gillespie has seen his team get their campaign off to a decent start, beginning with a penalty shoot-out win over Rathmullan Celtic before defeating Whitestand United 6-2 scoreline to reach the area final.
PJ Hagan underwent a knee operation in mid-July and will not feature until September, while Paul Nash is to serve the last of his three-match ban having been booked eight times last season.
Other than that, Gillespie expects to have a full squad to choose from, which has been bolstered with signings like Danny McBride from Cranford United, former Swilly Rover Kyle Black and the promotion of youth players like Ryan Flood and Oisin Doherty.
“We had a good, tough game against Rathmullan and played well enough having gone one down against Whitestand,” Gillespie said. “This competition is one that can give you a good run. It can start momentum and qualification to the semi-finals next year can give you something to look forward to.”
Kilmacrennan (pictured above) manager Sean Sandilands holds a similar opinion.
“If you keep in it then it stops your season petering out,” he said.
Sandliands will be without Daire McDaid, Christy Connaghan and Dan O’Donnell due to GAA commitments with Termon in Kilcar. St Michael’s fixture at Glenfin means that Ryan Langan is also out for this afternoon’s game.
However, with former Fanad United winger Mark Friel, goalkeeper Ciaran Molloy and Kieran Gorman back from Rathmullan, Sandilands has experience he can draw upon.
“We’ve a tough start to the league at Glenea United next week but we’ll see about that next week,” added Sandilands, whose side have beaten Lagan 3-1 and Bonagee United 5-1 thus far.
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